Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth. I have been looking forward to reading this book. Angela’s story on researching Grit begins by studying West Point’s Beast Barracks. That would be the best location to convey grit for all of us.
Her research of the national spelling bee does, in fact hold similarities to Beast. The lesson of learning your passion is indeed the key defining how you persevere over time. Swimming is a topic addressed throughout the book.
Angela’s story of Rowdy Gaines‘ love of athletics helped drive his skill in the pool. Examples of Grit lessons from swim coaches to Mark Spitz continue to inspire swimmers. When your teammates arrive by 4:00am every morning — you understand perseverance.
The idea of describing Grit versus Flow hit me (for some reason) as two approaches to playing a golf course. More than a few years ago I repeatedly played a course that hosted an annual PGA tournament.
Many weekday evenings spent at the range prepared me for a weekly test. Playing from the championship tees simulated the tournament yardage. The ‘grit’ was time at the range during the week. More often this was Monday, Wednesday and Friday while looking forward to teeing off that same Sunday.
However one Sunday I found myself changing my approach to ‘just play’ the course. Foregoing all the details approaching each shot, and moving to ‘just playing’ by feel. Angela describes this change as Flow. Many wasted efforts to perfect my swing for each shot was eliminated by simply ‘feeling’ the iron shot to be played. This turned out to be a much more relaxing round of golf. There are moments in the book that Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hour rules applies to flow and the amount of time to enhance your passion.
