Developing “Grit”

Don’t know about you, but when I hear the word “grit”, the first thinking I think about is the old John Wayne movie (I know, they’ve remade it recently) “True Grit”.  Whether you watched the John Wayne or the Jeff Bridges version, you know that the person with grit is the young woman, Mattie Ross, who is unwilling to take “no” for an answer and is insistent and determined to get the help she wants. 

The second thought I have when I hear the word “grit” is sandpaper.  Grit, when you are thinking about sandpaper, has to do with “the number of sharp particles per square inch of sandpaper.”  Grit size is important when you are trying to do a particular job.  For instance if you are stripping a finish off of a board, you may want 20 to 60 grit, while if you finishing a wooden cabinet you would want fine sandpaper with a grit between 360-600.  The grit of the paper will determine the finish that you get.

According to Wiki, "Grit Personality Trait" “Grit in psychology is a positive, non-cognitive trait, based on an individual’s passion for a particular long-term goal or end state coupled with a powerful motivation to achieve their respective objective. This perseverance of effort promotes the overcoming of obstacles or challenges that lie within a gritty individual’s path to accomplishment and serves as a driving force in achievement realization.” 

Angela Duckworth, former middle and high school math teacher, has done research about grit in her current position as Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania.  She wondered what role effort played in achievement.  Her work suggests that “when it comes to high achievement, grit may be as essential as intelligence.”  Her work is significant.  Intelligence “is probably the best-measured trait that there is in all of human psychology,” says Duckworth. “We know how to measure intelligence in a matter of minutes.  But intelligence leaves a lot unexplained. There are smart people who aren’t high achievers, and there are people who achieve a lot without having the highest test scores.”  Duckworth found in a study of students from an Ivy League school, that the people with the highest GPA’s were not the people with the highest IQs but rather the folks with the most grit and determination.  Duckworth has developed a “Grit Scale” to guide her work which you can find and take on the University’s website.

When we work with young people, we need to remember the importance of grit, the commitment to not giving up and throwing in the towel.  We need to encourage the development of perseverance and resiliency.  We believe that adult role models and mentors can be an inspiration and guide to young people.  Entrusted Legacy is committed to helping youth and adults develop this key characteristic.  Get in touch at support@entrustedlegacy.org

ASPIRE Program in Downey

Entrusted Legacy’s bottom line is to holistically train adults to be personally and professionally effective. ETL’s efforts are focused on adults who work with youth. Developing positive role models who effectively demonstrate the capacity, character and competency to practice the advanced citizenship required in a global society, is our quest. Entrusted Legacy is committed to the notion that “it takes a village” to positively influence the choices our next generation of adults make. From pre-schoolers to young adults, we must provide opportunities for youth to prepare and practice for the real adult world. Systematically we teach adults to routinely demonstrate and practice prevention strategies with youth, rather than waiting for problems to occur and having to implement intervention strategies.

This year with the support of Southern California Edison, ETL was able to bring a comprehensive staff development system to the ASPIRE afterschool staff in Downey, California. “The goal of ASPIRE is to provide a fun, positive, and safe learning environment. The program operates school days only from school dismissal until 6 p.m. ASPIRE students are provided with homework assistance, enrichment components on enhancing educational skills, and encouraging healthy life choices. The enrichment program is geared to be fun and educational for both the elementary and middle school sites.”  Michelle Jenny from ASPIRE had this to say:

“Consult 4 Kids is an important website for the afterschool field. Being able to provide technical assistance to staff at any time is invaluable. With less time and resources for in-person training, this website fills the void. Being able to assign videos or to have staff explore on their own provides flexibility. We are so grateful to Consult 4 Kids, Entrusted Legacy, and Southern California Edison for their contributions to make it possible for ASPIRE to use the website’s services. We hope to continue this partnership and hope to have funds in the future to be able to purchase this on our own.” 

On March 16, 2013, Entrusted Legacy sponsored a face-to-face training for the ASPIRE staff.  Stay tuned for pictures and comments.