So I have now done 126 posts on this blog and there has been over 11,500 page views. I have had a lot of readers join lately as the numbers have climbed and the constant is way more than before. So what was the first post that got more than 50 page views? It was "Grit". So, I wanted to re-post this one for those who don't go back back really far in this blog due to the large number of posts. Here is "Grit" posted on June 18th of 2011.
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. (Check out Nation of Wimps HERE)
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 long term 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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