Angela was a management consultant turned teacher turned researcher. As a teacher, she noticed that intelligence was not the only factor affecting her students’ success and wanted to find out what it was that made people excel. She tested adults and kids at West Point, national spelling bees, private companies and tough schools. After years and years of research she found the #1 indicator of future success was not intelligence or test scores. It was Grit. It was having the passion and persistence to meet very long-term goals. It was stamina. It was living life as a marathon not a sprint.

Sadly, this doesn’t sound like what our kids are being groomed for in our current culture. But with a few adjustments, it can be. Start by thinking about some goals you and your child have for their future.

Let us know in the comments below, how you are going to get your kids to be more gritty.