#272 The Secrets of Gritty People | Angela Duckworth

This week on the show, we’re exploring the interrelated themes of grit and resilience -- both massively resonant and relevant issues in the era of Covid and BLM. Today, my guest is Angela Duckworth. She’s a psychologist who was deemed a “genius” by the MacArthur Foundation, and she is perhaps best known for popularizing the term “grit,” which she defines as “a combination of passion and perseverance for a singularly important goal.” She’s written a bestselling book called Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, and has a new podcast called “No Stupid Questions.” In this episode, we talk about the secrets of gritty people, how to cultivate grit when it seems like the world is falling apart, and the possible downsides of grit. She’s quite candid about a number of sensitive issues, including the recent passing of her dad, and the sharp criticisms her work on grit has received in light of America’s racial reckoning.

Where to find Angela Duckworth online: 

Website: https://angeladuckworth.com/

Social Media:

• Twitter
• Facebook

Book Mentioned:

• Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

If you want help developing grit and resilience to cope with the fear, stress, and anxiety caused by the pandemic, try our free collection of meditations called Coronavirus Sanity in the Ten Percent Happier app: https://app.tenpercent.com/link/content?topic=374abed1-bcd2-44dc-bd52-b69e65515154 

Other Resources Mentioned:

• No Stupid Questions Podcast
• #215: What's Your Motivation? | Thubten Chodron
• #230: Work Less, Get More Done | Alex Soojung Kim-Pang
• K. Anders Ericsson
• Catherine Cox
• The Apples in Stereo

Additional Resources:

• Ten Percent Happier Live: https://tenpercent.com/live
• Coronavirus Sanity Guide: https://www.tenpercent.com/coronavirussanityguide
• Free App access for Frontline Workers: https://tenpercent.com/care