In
an enlightening 2013 TED talk, psychologist Angela Lee
Duckworth discussed some of the key personality traits that underly personal
success. Duckworth’s research indicates that, while exceptional talent and
measurable intelligence can help, neither factor is sufficient. More important
is the combination of passion and perseverance that Duckworth calls grit. She concludes by recommending that
parents and educators strive to instill this trait in children, but her
findings are instructive for people of all ages.
However
desirable it may be, perseverance is not necessarily easy to teach; it is equal
parts skill and state of mind, and ultimately a quality that one must choose to
embrace. In general, perseverant individuals hold the following beliefs:
•
If I work hard enough at (name
the activity or endeavour), I am capable of not only reaching the milestones I
have set for myself, but exceeding them.
•
(Name the activity or
endeavour) is important and worthy of my time and dedication.
•
The challenges I face at this
moment are not guarantors of failure in the long term.
The role
of faith.
By
faith, I don’t necessarily mean religious convictions. Rather, faith in this
context means the capacity to remain confident that the endeavour at which you
aspire to succeed is not a waste of time. In other words, faith is a bulwark
against the nagging voice of doubt that urges you to cut your losses and move
on, particularly when you’re struggling.
Thomas
Alva Edison—who patented the incandescent lightbulb in the 19th century after
numerous unsuccessful attempts—once remarked that many people who accept
failure don’t realize how close they were to success at the moment they decided
to give up. Faith is neither rational nor irrational, but rather non-rational;
it allows us to believe that our hard work will eventually bear fruit, even if
an abundance of evidence suggests the contrary. It also produces a feedback
effect: if you are convinced that you can succeed, you will tend to focus more
intently on the steps that are necessary for success.
The power
of dopamine.
The
neurotransmitter dopamine is associated with alertness, cognitive and motor
control, and motivation. A healthy level of dopamine in the brain is also a key
driver of perseverance. Fortunately, the brain’s production of dopamine is
responsive to external and internal stimuli, such as attitude, behaviour, and a
healthy, balanced diet.
Regular
exercise can both stimulate the brain’s production of dopamine and allow us to
rehearse the feeling of perseverance. Over time, as our bodies and minds become
accustomed to the sensation of physical activity, it tends to become an
enjoyable habit rather than an unwelcome chore. The same is true of
perseverance in other facets of our lives.
Dopamine is a central component of the brain’s reward circuit, and attitude plays a key role in determining whether we perceive the task before us as potentially rewarding. Instead of trying to grit your teeth and grind through a task by sheer force of will, set your sights on the satisfaction you will enjoy once it is finished, and then strive to attain that feeling.
Even
mundane daily chores like flossing your teeth or unloading the dishwasher are
opportunities to stimulate the release of dopamine.
Set and
adhere to self-imposed deadlines.
