13 Feb 2015 Intelligence or Grit?
In a report published on June 2012, Angela Duckworth, Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, made a bold statement:
It is not lack of intelligence, but rather the lack self-discipline, which is responsible for poor academic results in American adolescents. “We believe”, she said, “that many American children have trouble making choices that require them to sacrifice short- term pleasure for long-term gain.”
The Science:
In the late 1960’s Professor Walter Mischel conducted his now-famous “Marshmallow Test”. In this study, he gave a group of 4 and 5-year-olds a single marshmallow and told them that if they could refrain from eating it for 15 minutes, they will get a second marshmallow to enjoy.
Thirty years later, Mischel followed up with the same individuals and found that those who were able to exert self-control (about 30% of the children) were doing much better in all aspects of their lives, irrespective of their level of intellect and innate talent.
In 2007 Angela Duckworth and her colleague published a paper entitled “Grit – Perseverance, and Passion for Long Term Goals”. In this study, they examined the success rate of American Ivy League Universities, the American Military Academy at West Point, and participants in the National Spelling Bee competition. The researchers concluded that “The achievement of difficult goals entails not only talent but [also] the sustained and focused application of [that] talent over time.”
In his book “Willpower”, Professor Roy Baumeister suggests that self-discipline and willpower can be developed by practicing simple exercises in self-control over an extended period of time.
Our Recommendation:
Your success in life depends in great part on your ability to exercise self-discipline and your long term Grit.
Our recommendation is that you consciously practice self-discipline exercises every day in pursuit of the character traits that will lead to a more successful and satisfying life.
Read More:
To learn more about how to boost your willpower we suggest that you explore our The Willpower Program
