Do you know an athlete who not only never misses a workout, but never misses a yard of their training, or a rep in the weight room? No matter how tired or beat up they might be, they see their work through to the end. Despite the fact that they may not be the most talented on the team, aren’t they usually one of the most successful? Is this sort of determination, or Grit, just how they are, or have they developed their grittiness over time? It’s a good question.
Can you be born with Grit? Maybe. Some studies have shown that Dopamine (a neurotransmitter that becomes activated when something good happens) can influence the amount of physical activity someone undertakes. If you know someone that goes for a five-mile run on their day off, then you know someone who gets a dopamine boost from exercise. This is a genetic trait and is just how some athletes are wired. Even though they may be extremely gifted through birth, they believe their talent exists because of their dedication. Grit may be a trait that can be learned.
Gritty athletes learn to persevere through challenging times, consistently work harder than their competition and focus on improving their weaknesses. Additionally, a motivating factor like money, a perceived slight or a noble cause provides the fuel to keep them going. Whether learned or innate, Grit can be the difference between a medal and a fourth place finish for two equally talented athletes.
How gritty are you? Take the test. |