I have been saying all summer that graduating from U of M in the spring will be the first major thing I’ve seen through to completion since I graduated high school in 2008. It’s definitely super long term at this point, so I guess the fact that I’m even here shows that I have more grit than I feel like I sometimes care to have?
People have always told me that I’m “resilient” but I see that it’s vastly different and of a unique value compared to grit. I truly think that my resiliency has gotten me farther in life than without it, but I often wonder how much farther I might have been had I made different decisions.
The thing that struck me as really interesting, was that there was never any mention of cutting your losses or knowing when a pursuit of a goal is actually not the best for you. Sometimes I think “grit” wears me down. I’ve frequently been exhausted from trying to be gritty, but I’ve seen people in my position be far “grittier” and I look to them for inspiration.
Additionally, I think there are some tools, supports, and other personal qualities that have to be present in order for grit to be truly effective. I do think that grit is one of the greatest qualities that make a difference, but that it also might look different for everyone. Mental health surely plays a large factor, but then again self-care is one of those handy tools to be had.
I think this seminar was meaningful for me because it put an entirely different lens on
“you can do it”
“you can do anything you put your mind to”
“just keep trying”
Etc.
I’ve always been optimistic, sometimes sickeningly so, but I didn’t realize just how often a submit to the idea that “this just isn’t for me”. I’m definitely going to check out the books that were mentioned in the presentation for more inspiration with this upcoming year!