Grit

Just read through the new ASCA Newsletter. They reprinted one of my favorite articles titled, "Nation of Wimps." Re-read it, and enjoyed just as much, even though the article is now about 7 years old. I think it still applies, and actually think that it may be getting worse.

The article I really enjoyed was titled, "True Grit." I had an idea of what Grit meant, but in the article it defined it, and I think that it may be my new favorite word because of the articles definition. From the article, "...grit - defined as endurance in pursuit of longterm goals and an ability to persist in the face of adversity - is a key part of what makes people successful."The article continues with, "In a culture that values quick results - this quarters numbers, this week's weight loss, this month's clickthroughs - grit can be an underappreciated secret weapon."

Anyone who has gone through a swimming career can relate, and understands what grit is. Swimmers at the highest of levels have gone through those times that nothing is improving, and there is a point of possibly even getting worse. But as swimmers continue their career as swimmers, they believe that the work they do is going to pay of and continue to persist, and continue to try to train harder. Those who have stuck through with it have reaped the rewards, and came out the other end better than they were as a swimmer, but as this article eludes to, the person has actually come out as a better person, as they understand grit, and can then apply it to life situations as they try to succeed in other avenues of life.

The purpose of the article was to "explain why some of the biggest victories are won an inch at a time," as the article states. The article refers to how people in our society are looking for the big moment, and want a big moment all the time, but in reality most success is gained through grit. It is tough to go through it, but one step at a time could very well get you farther along than taking one big step and stopping there.

I also enjoyed the analogy in the article. (I am going to include the whole paragraph) "Grit is not synonymous with hard work. It involves a certain single mindedness. An ungritty prison inmate will formulate a new plan of escape every month, but a gritty prison inmate will tunnel his way out one spoonful of concrete at a time." My guess is that the gritty inmate slowly but eventually accomplishes his goal, where the ungritty inmate, although comes up with some great plans, never really accomplishes his goal.

Grit is the probably the best word for any swimmer who is going to be successful. I have seen so many talented swimmers achieve success early, and once the success is over and there becomes obstacles in the way, they choose to bow out rather than persist to see their full potential. Grit is also a great way to see an age-groupers career, as they must see there growth as progress an inch at a time, and that every swim is not going to be the big moment.

End on this note, GRIT!

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