Grit can seem like a gift some people are naturally born with, yet there are effective ways to develop it in life and at work. Examples of grit in the workplace can look like staying cool under pressure, dedication to a long-term goal, or simply a gut-busting work ethic.
The good news is this resilience is achievable for those struggling to cope with work. Beyond simply being resilient these tips for developing grit will ensure that rather than bouncing back repeatedly you begin to jump hurdles as you head towards your goals.
If you’ve ever run in a race, you may have noticed that no matter how hard you try to run those last ten metres, your body will begin to slow you down as you prepare for the end. Slowing down could be the difference between first and second, last and second-last or simply reaching a new personal best. The finish line effect is the understanding that as humans reach 70-80% of their goal, we begin to prepare for the end.
Companies can find this incredibly frustrating and costly as what once appeared to be a routine year slowly dissipates into missed targets. It’s important to acknowledge and combat the Finish Line Effect to ensure you or your business no longer fall short of your mark.
The easiest way to find your grit is by passionately completing as much work as you possibly can, thus reducing the chore-like nature of the task. Taking this approach will exponentially increase your development, productivity and overall enjoyment.
If you are not currently in your dream job or find yourself stuck in a field that you’re less passionate about then view this time in your life as a stepping stone. Develop your grit and slowly but surely strive towards that dream job by bringing everything you have to nail your current one.
It’s now common knowledge that we learn from our mistakes. What isn’t said quite as often is that there is a difference between passive and active learners. People with grit understand the value of mistakes and will fail again and again but keep coming back with innovations and improvements.
If you strive to be someone with grit, a band-aid approach isn’t an option for you. Instead, its back to the drawing board to analyse mistakes before rebuilding something better. Ensure you schedule yourself ample time for this evaluation, and you are sure to raise your grit in the process.
We can easily fall into the trap of simply sitting around and hoping for things to get better. This form of optimism relies on everything external to one’s self. A gritty person understands that if you want something done, then you go out and make it happen. Look down the end of the tunnel when things go wrong and instill a belief in yourself that you will get there. Make decisions to control what you can. Ensure you eat well, exercise and apply 100% of yourself to the task at hand.
Tips for gritty optimism:
In the 21st-century workplace, grit is a development too valuable to ignore. It’s important you start finding effective ways of becoming a ‘grittier you’ at work.
Improving this will equip you to work towards successfully achieving long-term goals. When you possess grit, you understand that it is never too late to give your all or try a new strategy.
