Day 3 of INBOUND16 featured several well-known and talented speakers, but the highlight for a lot of people was author and psychologist Angela Duckworth’s Spotlight session.
Duckworth is best known for her research on the subject of grit.
Needless to say, excitement levels were through the roof.
My excitement level right now!!!!! First @angeladuckw, then @AnnaKendrick47, and then @serenawilliams! Y’all, i can’t breathe! #INBOUND16 pic.twitter.com/8RIY4SOtjz
— Nana Kwapong (@kwapna01) November 10, 2016
Duckworth’s research has shown that grit is one of the most significant factors that determine success.
“Common to all the high achievers is the common denominator of passion and determination for long-term goals,” shares @angeladuckw
— Courtney Feairheller (@writingspout) November 10, 2016
Grit is about passion (not the intensity but the consistency of your interest) + perseverance (the tenacity with which you pursue your goals).
Passion + perseverance = magic @angeladuckw #INBOUND16 pic.twitter.com/v8sZGrudGr
— INBOUND (@INBOUND) November 10, 2016
And grit is closely tied to achievement.
Grit outperforms every other quality. @angeladuckw #INBOUND16 pic.twitter.com/Ls0TBNr6Op
— Liane Ng (@angmohlian) November 10, 2016
But grit isn’t something you’re born with, available in finite quantities. It’s not fixed but malleable, and can be developed.
.@angeladuckw: As you age and live life, you increase in positive qualities like #grit; it is something #malleable. #INBOUND16 #success #age
— Jeffrey N. Tomaneng (@JeffTomaneng) November 10, 2016
Talent will only get you so far. Grit is what keeps you going when you want to give up.
Wise words from @angeladuckw #INBOUND16 pic.twitter.com/3dEegLmWll
— INBOUND (@INBOUND) November 10, 2016
.@angeladuckw the ONE slide to remember! #INBOUND16 @HubSpot pic.twitter.com/lczSjVeYUJ
— Kevin Jaquith (@kevinjaquith) November 10, 2016
Grit might help you succeed but it doesn’t make you right.
“Our potential is one thing. What we do with it is quite another.” @angeladuckw https://t.co/TcKYHjpmkL #INBOUND16
— nDash.co (@nDashCo) November 10, 2016
“You can be successful and still be terrible.” – real talk from @angeladuckw #INBOUND16 pic.twitter.com/0ndYU0r5JB
— Jessie Rogers (@jessietron) November 10, 2016
Duckworth then theorizes that you can reverse engineer success to find a process to build grit.
build GRIT ➡️ 1. develop interests b4 training weakness 2. do deliberate practice 3. cultivate purpose 4. have hope #INBOUND16 @angeladuckw
— Devan Meserve (@devanrosey) November 10, 2016
Here is her four step process for developing grit:
1. Develop your interests
Develop your interests before training your weaknesses. #buildgrit @angeladuckw #INBOUND16
— Colleen Cook (@ColleenTCook) November 10, 2016
Specifically, developing your interests before training your weaknesses helps cultivate passion. Until you get to a point where the more you do something, the less bored you feel.
2. Know the science of deliberate practice.
What is deliberate practice? Set a stretch goal, focus 100%, get feedback, reflect and refine @angeladuckw #INBOUND16
— Natively (@gonatively) November 10, 2016
- Practice deliberately. Stretch a goal.
- Get feedback (in a way that allows you to process it constructively).
- Reflect on your progress. Know that frustration is a normal part of learning.
Frustration is a natural human reaction to not being able to achieve a goal and part and parcel in learning. @angeladuckw #INBOUND16
— Colleen Cook (@ColleenTCook) November 10, 2016
3. Cultivate purpose.
Link your goal to a higher purpose.
Cultivate purpose. The key is, it’s not about you, it’s about other people. #buildgrit @angeladuckw #INBOUND16
— Colleen Cook (@ColleenTCook) November 10, 2016
LOVE this: “in choosing what to do, I always take into account whether it will benefit other people.” #purpose #INBOUND16 @angeladuckw
— danielle kushner (@dkushner_) November 10, 2016
4. Have hope.
.@angeladuckw: #Change your mind about changing your #minid. #INBOUND16 #Building #Grit #GrowthMindset
— Jeffrey N. Tomaneng (@JeffTomaneng) November 10, 2016
Duckworth makes the distinction between a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset.
Growth mindset believes that human beings are wired for growth, change, and learning. #buildgrit @angeladuckw #INBOUND16
— Colleen Cook (@ColleenTCook) November 10, 2016
A fixed mindset is a self-fulfilling prophecy. A growth mindset is a self-fulfilling prophecy. @angeladuckw #growthmindset #grit #INBOUND16 pic.twitter.com/tLGJE9chIX
— NeatyNit (@UrMEandWErU) November 10, 2016
A lot of people were absolutely thrilled with the oppoortunity to see Duckworth speak and meet her afterwards.
Highlight of this conference, hearing her speak and then having her sign my book. Thank you @angeladuckw ! #INBOUND16 pic.twitter.com/tBZzb1Gres
— Dina DeMaio Smith (@ddemaiosmith) November 10, 2016
While others went away inspired and excited to try the new stuff they had learned.
Simply marvelous. Can’t wait to start making refinements in my #deliberatepractice @angeladuckw on #Grit at #INBOUND16 pic.twitter.com/kE1nY0GObH
— Jennifer Rumold (@jrumold) November 10, 2016
@angeladuckw your keynote yesterday was powerful. Encouraged me to facilitate a culture of grit. #ThankYou #INBOUND16
— Justin Falls (@JustinFalls) November 11, 2016
Because with the right support, we can all get grittier in our own lives.
Passion and perseverance is a path we can all walk. Excellence is available. @angeladuckw #grit @HubSpot #INBOUND16
— NeatyNit (@UrMEandWErU) November 10, 2016
“You need someone who loves you enough to not let you quit on a bad day.” @angeladuckw w/ the ultimate #relationshipgoals #INBOUND16
— Lindsay Kolowich (@lkolow) November 10, 2016
You can watch Duckworth’s Ted talk on grit here:
And if you are curious your own grit score, you can take the test here.
And finally, do check out our other session recaps for INBOUND16 here.
