What do West Point graduates and National Spelling Bee winners have in common? They're some of the grittiest people out there, says psychologist Angela Duckworth.
Duckworth, a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and a MacArthur "Genius" fellow, spent years analyzing what it takes to be successful. In her recent book, "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance," she argues that talent alone isn't enough; you also have to have grit — a mental toughness that helps you persevere even in the face of obstacles.
In her book, Duckworth outlines four characteristics that gritty people share.
1. They're interested
Success requires being deeply interested in what you're working on. "Passion begins with intrinsically enjoying what you do," Duckworth writes.
There may be parts of your work that you don't love, but the overall activity should excite you, she says.
"Every gritty person I've studied can point to aspects of their work they enjoy less," she says. "Nevertheless, they're captivated by the endeavor as a whole and they find it meaningful."
2. They practice
Without discipline and effort, initial talent will never develop into something fruitful, Duckworth says.
"You must zero in on your weaknesses, and you must do so over and over again, four hours a day, week after month after year."
You can grow your grit from the inside out.Angela Duckworthauthor of "Grit" and founder of Character Lab
3. They have purpose
What motivates people to practice for days on end? A sense of meaning.
"What ripens passion is the conviction that your work matters," Duckworth writes.
A feeling of purpose when practicing your skill comes early for some and later on for others, she adds. At some point, though, it's there.
4. They have hope
The belief that your dreams are within reach may be the most important piece of the puzzle.
"Hope does not define the last stage of grit. It defines every stage," Duckworth writes. "Hope is a rising-to-the-occasion kind of perseverance."
If you're worried that you don't have one of these traits, you can still be successful. Duckworth says they aren't "you-have-it-or-you-don't commodities." You can develop them.
"You can grow your grit from the inside out," she writes.