Grit

This short video helps reinforce and describe the best conditions for starting something new - the beginning’s mindset - the growth mindset in action. When we begin something, we expect to get it wrong once or twice. It’s how we manage the longer term frustrations associated with learning that will - in part - determine how well you establish, then sustain new habits.

Like all these psychological ideas, its always worth thinking about how it translates in a particular lived experience - in our case, busy working motherhood. I would argue we demonstrate high degrees of grit on a daily basis! The piece I offered in January on Patience is about grit - as much as it is the soft, smoothness that patience offers too.

As parents, it also helps us think about what we are modelling and communicating to our children about difficulty and managing failure. We are often so preopccupied with keeping our children safe and happy - that we limit the opportunity for discomfort, through which we learn and develop grit. (*Hang on tight for my Letters to my Daughters this month focusing on this theme.)

In case you want to find out more - here’s a longer version TED talk from Amy Duckworth, who fleshes out a bit more about she arrived at her ideas.