Grit – Passion + Perseverance x Time = Achievement

Grit is a foundational mental skill for high performance. It’s the ability to stay consistent with your effort and purpose over a long period of time—even when things get hard. Grit means you keep showing up, keep training, and keep pushing forward, no matter the obstacle.

Angela Duckworth, a psychologist who popularized the term, defines grit with a simple but powerful equation:

Passion + Perseverance x Time = Achievement.

This formula reveals that achievement isn’t just about talent. It’s about how much you care (passion), how hard you work and stick with it (perseverance), and how long you’re willing to do that (time). You have to love your sport and be willing to put in the work, every day, year after year.

A great example of grit is Shaun White, the legendary snowboarder and three-time Olympic gold medalist. White's path wasn't easy—he faced major injuries, rising competition, and the pressure of reinventing his routines at every level. Despite all that, he kept going. He stayed committed to mastering his craft and consistently pushed the boundaries of what was possible. That’s grit in action: passion for snowboarding, perseverance through setbacks, and dedication over decades.

Grit separates the good from the great. If you want to reach the top in your sport, talent alone won’t get you there. You need to develop grit. That means falling in love with the process—loving practice, loving learning, loving competition—and then showing up with relentless effort again and again.

For Players

Do:

• Fall in love with the process of training and improving

• Push yourself to stay committed even when it gets hard

Don’t:

• Give up when progress feels slow

• Only work hard when it feels exciting or easy

For Parents

Do:

• Praise your child’s effort, not just the outcome

• Encourage persistence over time, especially after setbacks

Don’t:

• Emphasize winning over learning

• Let your athlete quit too soon when challenges arise

For Coaches

Do:

• Build long-term development plans with your athletes

• Celebrate consistency and dedication in training

Don’t:

• Focus only on short-term results

• Ignore the value of slow and steady growth