When people think back to their own childhood and compare it with how childhood seems today, there is a growing concern that children are becoming softer – essentially, lacking in perseverance and tenacity.  Evidently this is a general feeling that’s shared among Teaching Staff, parents and indeed most adults across the UK.

Despite the positive aspects of modern technology, it is no doubt partly to blame for the noticeable changes we have seen in recent years.  Children relying less on their own creativity when bored, spending less time outdoors, exercising less, and becoming addicted to screens – not to mention the impact of social media.  You could also add to that increased Health & Safety hype, leading to a somewhat ‘cotton wool’ effect on today’s younger generation.  Let’s not be too gloomy though…

We think there is a lot to be said for passion and perseverance.  So – what about you?  How long do you stick with a task that’s not going your way, before you conclude “I can’t do this”?  What about your children, students, colleagues?

A critical factor that many of us need more of, is Grit!  Angela Duckworth famously came up with her theory of ‘Grit’ as a predictor of success.  She found that IQ was not the only factor that separated successful students and those that struggled, with the same principle applying to any discipline.  There are many talented individuals out there who simply do not follow through on their commitments.  Motivation and psychology are a huge factor behind how well people do, and we believe this is something that needs much more attention!

So, what are the 5 characteristics of Grit?  Angela Duckworth defines them as:

  • Courage
  • Conscientiousness
  • Long-Term Goals & Endurance
  • Resilience
  • Excellence vs. Perfection

Perhaps you would add more in there, but it’s certainly a great start!  We have a brilliant workshop focussing on ‘Growth Mindset’, which is the belief that the ability to learn is not fixed – it can change with your effort.  So with that in mind, we need to be ‘Gritty’ about helping others become ‘Grittier’.

Whether you’re a school, organisation or business, we want to work with you to help you improve your outcomes.  We’ve got a superb presenter who regularly receives outstanding feedback.  He is open for short sessions and talks as well as full day workshops.  Contact us today!