The Importance of Grit and Determination

Generally speaking, many people want to be a successful person in life. Some of them believe that intelligence and talent is the basic or determinant factor of a successful life. Intelligence is related to the ability to learn and understand things, while talent refers to the special ability that allows someone to do something well. In fact, neither intelligence nor talent is enough to gain future success. Success requires more than a “given factor” like that. Beyond intelligence and talent, success necessitates grit and determination as the most powerful weapons for long term success.

            Grit, which is how some refer to the passion for long-term goals, is the most important quality to achieve long-term success. Everyone will face a lot of problems and difficult situation toward success, such as limited resources, limited friends, lack of time, and so on. In these situations, grit is really needed to maintain spirit and endurance.  Although the meaning of success depends on each definition, it is usually a very long and hard process. For example, Christiano Ronaldo, who is known as the world’s best soccer player today, ceased from education in order to focus on his soccer career. He not only dropped out of school, but he was also diagnosed with a racing heart that could have forced him to stop playing soccer. However, because of his great passion for soccer, Ronaldo never gave up and playing soccer until today. Learning from Ronaldo, grit or passion would be the power generator for those who will make someone successful.

            In addition, determination is also needed to achieve a long-term success. Determination is fixed intention to focus on the main goals. As in principle, the best result will receive only from the best effort. For instance, Thomas Alva Edison, who created such great innovation in electricity, gave us stories about a very long and difficult process on research and innovation. Without a very high level of determination, it would have been impossible for Edison to achieve more than 1,000 patents for his inventions. Determination will also build a person’s self-capacity for endurance, patience and curiosity. As a result, determination is both tough and difficult, so that the number of successfull people in the world like Edison are also rare.  

            Furthermore, grit and determination is something that will give an ability to change the environment. Christiano Ronaldo and Thomas Alva Edison both succeeded in changing their environment, not to mention the world, to be better place. As the world’s best paid athlete, Ronaldo spent his money to many social or philanthropic activities around the world. On the other hand, without Edison’s invention, the light of the world will not enjoy as it is today. Subsequently, most successfull people usually have a lot of followers because of Their determination and inspiration. Everyone will learn and follow their way of success.

            

In conclusion, long-term future success can be achieved not only with Intelligence or talent but also with grit and determination. The latter are more important than the former, because grit and determination are the significant power to gaining success. They will improve a person’s potential capacity and intensity to be successful in life. Nevertheless, the first things that must be done before gaining success are to find out the biggest passion in life itself.