How to Create a Successful Mindset: The Science of Passion and Perseverance
In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, Angela Duckworth examines how grit—the combination of passion and perseverance—plays a larger role in success than natural talent. She outlines her research showing that effort counts twice as much as talent in achieving goals, and explains that grit isn't an innate characteristic but rather a skill that can be developed over time.
The discussion explores the four key components of grit: interest, practice, purpose, and hope. Duckworth shares strategies for developing these traits and cultivating a growth mindset—the belief that abilities can improve through effort and experience. She also addresses how environmental factors affect performance and presents findings on how minimizing distractions can lead to better outcomes in both academic and professional settings.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Oct 13, 2025 episode of the The Mel Robbins Podcast
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The Psychology of High Achievement and Success
In this discussion, Angela Duckworth and Robbins explore the key psychological factors that drive high achievement and success. They focus on the roles of grit, mindset, and consistent effort in achieving long-term goals.
The Power of Grit Over Talent
According to Duckworth, success is primarily determined by grit—a combination of passion and perseverance—rather than natural talent. She emphasizes that grit isn't an innate trait but a learnable skill that can be developed over time. Her research indicates that effort is twice as important as talent in achieving success.
Duckworth explains that a growth mindset—the belief that abilities can develop through effort and experience—is crucial for success. She warns against a fixed mindset, which can limit personal growth by viewing abilities as unchangeable. High achievers, she notes, typically succeed through consistent, moderate effort rather than occasional bursts of intense work.
Components of Grit
Duckworth outlines four essential components of grit. First is interest—the foundation of passion that emerges through experience and exploration. Second is practice, which requires focused effort with clear goals and feedback. The third component is purpose, where individuals connect their work to something larger than themselves. Finally, hope—the belief that effort can improve one's future—completes the framework.
Developing Grit and Growth Mindset
Duckworth shares practical strategies for cultivating grit and a growth mindset. She emphasizes the importance of intrinsic motivation over external pressures, suggesting that actions should align with genuine interests rather than "shoulds." She also advocates for seeking support and feedback from others, noting that teamwork often leads to better outcomes than working alone.
Regarding environment optimization, Duckworth's research shows that minimizing distractions, particularly from devices like smartphones, can significantly impact performance. Her studies in schools demonstrate that students achieve better academic outcomes when they create physical distance from potential distractions.
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Counterarguments
- While grit is important, it is not the only determinant of success; factors such as intelligence, social skills, and luck also play significant roles.
- The concept of grit has been criticized for potentially ignoring systemic barriers and inequalities that can impact an individual's ability to succeed.
- Some argue that the emphasis on effort over talent can lead to overworking and burnout if not balanced with self-care and rest.
- The idea that effort is twice as important as talent is difficult to quantify and may vary greatly depending on the field or endeavor.
- A growth mindset is beneficial, but there are instances where innate abilities set limits that cannot be overcome by effort alone.
- High achievement might sometimes require intense bursts of work, especially in fields that demand innovation and rapid problem-solving.
- The components of grit as outlined may oversimplify the complex nature of motivation and human behavior.
- Intrinsic motivation is important, but external pressures and rewards can also be powerful motivators and can lead to success in certain contexts.
- While teamwork is often beneficial, some tasks and projects may be better suited to individual work, depending on the nature of the work and the individuals involved.
- The strategy of minimizing distractions is sound, but the role of technology in productivity is complex, and in some cases, devices can enhance, rather than hinder, performance.
Actionables
- You can track your daily efforts with a "Grit Journal" to visualize your consistency and progress. Start by jotting down the time spent on your goals each day, noting the level of effort and any obstacles you overcame. This will help you see patterns in your dedication and identify areas for improvement. For example, if you're learning a new language, record the minutes spent practicing, the material covered, and moments when you felt like giving up but didn't.
- Create a "Purpose Map" to connect your daily actions to your larger goals. Draw a flowchart that starts with your daily tasks and shows how each one feeds into your long-term objectives. This visual aid reinforces the idea that every small step is part of a bigger journey. If your goal is to run a marathon, your map might link short daily runs to increasing stamina and ultimately crossing the finish line.
- Develop a "Hope Plan" by writing down potential setbacks you might encounter and how you'll address them. This preemptive strategy ensures you're not caught off guard and helps maintain a hopeful outlook. For instance, if you're aiming to save money, list possible financial emergencies and outline a budget-friendly response to each, like setting aside a small emergency fund or identifying non-essential expenses you can cut.
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The Psychology of High Achievement and Success
Exploring the psychology behind high achievement and success, Angela Duckworth and Robbins discuss key attributes such as grit, growth mindset, and consistent effort.
Success Is Determined by Grit, Not Talent: Passion and Perseverance Drive High Achievers
Angela Duckworth talks about grit being a critical factor in success, which includes a mix of passion and perseverance for long-term goals. According to Duckworth, many high achievers may not see themselves as the fastest learners or the most naturally talented, but they possess an unyielding commitment to their goals, often working harder and longer than others. Robbins echoes the sentiment, stating talent isn't the key to greatness, but rather it's grit - the toughness to persist and the belief to keep pushing forward.
Grit Is a Learnable, Improvable Skill
Duckworth emphasizes that grit is not an innate trait, but rather a skill that can be learned and improved over time. She states that any good quality a psychologist might highlight is within our control to some extent. Her research finds that effort is twice as important as talent in achieving success, contrasting the belief that innate talent is the primary factor for achievement.
Growth Mindset: Belief Abilities Develop Through Effort and Experience, Crucial for Success
Duckworth defines a growth mindset as the belief that human ability is changeable. If one has a growth mindset, they believe that their abilities can develop through effort and experience. On the other hand, a fixed mindset, which suggests that our abilities are static and unchangeable, can severely hinder growth and learning.
Fixed Mindset Hinders Growth and Learning
She warns against a fixed mindset, where individuals might feel their abilities or situations, like being "bad at math" or "unlucky in love," are inherent and unchangeable. This leads to the avoidance of failure and a contraction of life experiences. Duckworth also discusses how societal conditioning, especially the shame and fear instilled in us from a young age, can foster a fixed mindset.
High Achievers Are More Committed to Long-Term Goals Than Intense or Energetic
Duckworth describes high achievement as more closely aligned ...
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The Psychology of High Achievement and Success
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Clarifications
- Grit is a psychological trait that involves a combination of passion and perseverance towards long-term goals. Passion is the intense desire and enthusiasm for what you are doing, while perseverance is the ability to persist and overcome challenges despite setbacks. Together, these components of grit help individuals stay focused, motivated, and dedicated to achieving their objectives over time. Grit is considered a crucial factor in success, emphasizing the importance of sustained effort and resilience in reaching one's full potential.
- A growth mindset is the belief that abilities can be developed through effort and experience, emphasizing learning and improvement. On the other hand, a fixed mindset is the belief that abilities are static and unchangeable, hindering growth and development. Growth mindset encourages resilience, learning from failures, and embracing challenges, while a fixed mindset can lead to avoidance of challenges and a fear of failure. Developing a growth mindset can lead to greater success and fulfillment by fostering a belief in the power of effort and perseverance.
- In the context of achieving success, the statement that effort is twice as important as talent emphasizes the significance of consistent hard work and dedication over innate abilities. This idea suggests that while talent may provide a starting advantage, sustained effort and perseverance play a more critical role in long-term success and achievement. It underscores the belief that individuals who consistently put in effort and work towards their goals are more likely to succeed, even if they do not possess exceptional natural talent.
- The focus on consistent effort over bursts of intense work highlights the importance of sustained dedication and progress in achieving long-term success. It suggests that steady, moderate effort over time is more effective than sporadic, intense periods of wo ...
Counterarguments
- While grit and perseverance are important, they are not the only factors in success; factors such as opportunity, access to resources, and networking can also play significant roles.
- Some individuals may have a natural talent that gives them an advantage in certain fields, and this can sometimes be as important as grit.
- The concept of grit being twice as important as talent is difficult to quantify and may vary greatly depending on the field or context.
- A growth mindset is beneficial, but there are instances where innate abilities set limits that cannot be overcome by effort alone.
- The idea that effort can always compensate for lack of talent may not hold true in highly specialized or competitive fields.
- The emphasis on long-term goals may overlook the importance of adaptability and the ability to pivot when circumstances change.
- Consistent effort is important, but there are times when burs ...
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The Concept of Grit and Its Key Components
Angela Duckworth's book "Grit" revolves around the concept of nurturing individual passions as a fundamental aspect of developing grit. She and Mel Robbins outline the key components required to foster grit.
Interest: Nurturing Your Passions Is the Foundation of Grit
Angela Duckworth explains that for anyone to become great at what they do, there must be an underlying curiosity about the subject. This curiosity or interest is what parents should look for in their children, as Duckworth did with her daughter Lucy's interest in baking. She believes interest is the seed necessary to grow passion and that everyone is capable of finding that interest which could lead them to exceptional knowledge in their chosen area. Duckworth explains that passion is a consistent interest over time. Interests emerge naturally from experience, and you can’t predict them without trying different things out.
With children, it’s important to let them try a range of pursuits to help them develop their own interests. Duckworth emphasizes that people should engage in activities that spark their interest, which is instrumental in developing grit. She discusses the notion that you have to sample many things to figure out what you really like before specializing in anything.
Practice: Focused, Effortful Practice With Clear Goals and Feedback Is Key for Skill Improvement
Duckworth's research emphasizes the importance of focused and effortful practice, which requires setting clear goals and getting feedback for continual skill improvement. Perseverance is crucial, especially when it embodies resilience to practice and work hard. In her family, they follow the "hard thing" rule, which demands deliberate practice in their chosen pursuits.
Once you're interested in something, you also need the desire to improve. The process of skill improvement usually involves a coach and encompasses about 10,000 hours of deliberate practice. Duckworth explains that the best violinists had spent roughly this amount of time in high-quality practice, defined by having a specific goal, working on weaknesses, needing full concentration and effort, and receiving immediate feedback.
Duckworth remarks that high achievers are consistent; they continue to practice regularly, learning from their mistakes and maintaining their focus, no matter the challenges.
Purpose: Feeling That Your Work Contributes to Something Larger Gives It Meaning and Significance
Duckworth includes purpose, or feeling that one's work contributes to something larger, as an essential aspect of meaningful and successful endeavor. She talks about individuals’ desire to be helpful and feel like they're part of something bigger than themselves. Even small actions, like picking up trash, can contribute positively to the world.
She recounts a parable of bricklayers, where the third sees his work as building the h ...
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Counterarguments
- Interest as the sole foundation of grit may be too simplistic; other factors like cultural background, socioeconomic status, and personal circumstances also play significant roles in developing perseverance and resilience.
- The idea that everyone can find a passion may overlook the reality that some individuals may have multiple interests or may not be as driven by passion but by necessity or practicality.
- The "hard thing" rule might not be suitable for everyone; some individuals may thrive better in a flexible environment where they can explore different things without the pressure of sticking to one "hard thing."
- The 10,000-hour rule for skill improvement has been contested; some researchers argue that the quality of practice and individual differences in learning rates make this rule too general and not applicable to all skills or people.
- The emphasis on deliberate practice might not account for the importance of innate talent or predispositions in certain areas, which can also contribute to high achievement.
- The concept of having a calling may not resonate with everyone; some individuals might find meaning and satisfaction in work that is not necessarily linked to a deeper calling or purpose.
- The focus on hope and self-efficacy ...
Actionables
- You can create a "Passion Exploration Journal" to document and reflect on new activities you try each month, noting which ones ignite a spark of interest and why. By keeping a journal, you give yourself a tangible way to track your experiences and identify patterns in what excites you. For example, after trying a new hobby like pottery, write down what you enjoyed about it, such as the creativity or the tactile experience, and whether you felt a pull to continue.
- Develop a "Skill Progress Tracker" app or spreadsheet that allows you to set clear goals, log practice hours, and record feedback for any skill you're working on. This tool can help you stay organized and motivated by visually displaying your progress towards the 10,000-hour mark. For instance, if you're learning to play the guitar, you could set weekly goals, track practice sessions, and note areas of improvement as suggested by a teacher or self-assessment.
- Start a "Hope Diary" where ...
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Strategies For Developing Grit and a Growth Mindset
Developing grit and a growth mindset is key for persevering through life's challenges. Angela Duckworth and Mel Robbins share insights on how individuals can cultivate these traits by focusing on intrinsic motivation, seeking support and feedback, and optimizing their environment.
Emphasize Intrinsic Motivation and Genuine Desires Over "Should" Statements
Reconnect With Values to Resist External Pressures
Angela Duckworth underlines the importance of intrinsic motivation as opposed to extrinsic or introjected motivations that can feel exhausting and inauthentic. She advises focusing on problems that interest you and advises against actions driven by "should" or "ought." Volunteering in an area that interests you, Duckworth explains, is intrinsically rewarding, regardless of its perceived significance.
Duckworth notes that being intentional about getting smarter and learning every day, citing Satya Nadella’s "learn-it-all" approach over a "know-it-all" mindset, furthers personal growth. She suggests that instead of succumbing to static beliefs about oneself, reconnecting with one's core values can lead to embracing growth and learning. In her course, Grit Lab, she starts with "Choose Easy," which involves choosing something that aligns with one's genuine interests and values as the starting point for developing grit.
Seek Support, Feedback, and Accountability From Others
Sharing Goals and Struggles With Trusted Peers Offers Perspective
Duckworth emphasizes the role of teamwork and not taking the journey alone. She suggests talking to teammates, mentors, or coaches about points of concern, as this can provide objectivity and better insight than introspection. Duckworth's point about founders being less successful than co-founders backs up the idea that seeking support can result in better outco ...
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Counterarguments
- Intrinsic motivation is important, but extrinsic motivations can also play a significant role in driving behavior and can be harnessed effectively in certain contexts.
- While focusing on genuine desires is beneficial, sometimes "should" statements can reflect important responsibilities and societal obligations that individuals need to consider.
- Volunteering in an area of interest can be rewarding, but it might not always lead to skill development or career advancement, which are also important aspects of personal growth.
- Intentional learning is crucial, but it's also important to recognize the value of unplanned, serendipitous learning that occurs through diverse experiences.
- Reconnecting with core values is important, but sometimes growth requires challenging and revising one's values and beliefs.
- Starting with easy tasks that align with interests and values can be a good strategy, but it might not prepare individuals for the inevitable challenges that require hard work and perseverance.
- Seeking support and feedback is valuable, but over-reliance on others can hinder the development of self-reliance and independent problem-solving skills.
- Sharing goals with peers can be helpful, but it can also lead to unnecessary pressure or a sense of failure if goals are not met.
- Teamwork is often beneficial, but individual work can sometimes lead to greater innovation and personal acc ...
Actionables
- You can create a "values vision board" to visually reconnect with your core values and interests, using images and quotes that represent what truly matters to you. Place this board in a space where you'll see it daily to remind yourself of your intrinsic motivations and to help guide your decisions towards activities that align with your values.
- Develop a "distraction-free study kit" that includes all the essentials you need for focused work, such as noise-canceling headphones, a basic timer for time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, and a lockable box to store your smartphone. Use this kit during designated study or work times to enforce physical and psychological distance from distractions ...
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