The book is a self help-like account on "grit", defined as the tendency to sustain interest in and effort toward very long-term goals. The first part of the book describes the phenomenon, its effects (benefits) and offers ideas concerning its origins. The second part then adopts a more traditional self help style in offering inspiring advice about how to foster and build grit in oneself.
Was it good?
I liked the first part quite much, whereas the self help-like style of the latter part was not so much to my liking. Perhaps the reason for this is that the first part is more 'scientific' or objective whereas the latter part is more inspirational-speculative built to a large part on selected anecdotes featuring successful people and/or their parents.
As is the case with many or most self help books, an abridged version of the book (with the inspirational style toned down) would be - to me - a more compelling reading experience.
This is not, however, to say that the book failed to inspire me at all, but that the "you too can do this like this person did" style is not to my great liking.
The main take-away for me?
First, like Charles Duhigg's book The Power of Habit, Duckworth underscores persisting on a course of action (likely to result in a fulfilment of an important goal) so that it becomes a habit. I fully subscribe to this. And second, what gave me pause and really made me think was Duckworth's typology of one's work as (1) an occupation (or a job), (2) a career, and (3) a calling, with associated overall life happiness and even task performance outcomes.
Who should read the book?
As any self help book, this is certainly written for anyone, and probably anyone can get something to think about and even change in the personal life out of the book. However, those stand to benefit the most who struggle with commitment and getting things done. And, yes, parents - the book has a lengthy discussion about how to foster grit in children.
The book on Amazon.com: Grit
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