Expert: Grit, Not Talent, Makes High Achievers

Success isn't reserved for the naturally gifted or extraordinarily smart, according to psychologist Angela Duckworth's groundbreaking research. The real difference between high achievers and everyone else comes down to two learnable traits: passion and perseverance.

Duckworth calls this combination "grit," and her studies show it's the common thread linking successful people across every field. Whether studying cadets at West Point or kids competing in spelling bees, the grittiest individuals consistently rose to the top.

"The common denominator of high achievers, no matter what they're achieving, is this special combination of passion and perseverance for really long-term goals," Duckworth explained on The Mel Robbins Podcast. She breaks grit into two essential parts: loving something enough to stick with it (instead of jumping from one thing to another), and getting back up on the really bad days.

The psychologist, who wrote an entire book on the topic called "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance," emphasizes that while genes play some role, how gritty we are depends largely on what we know, who we're around, and the places we go. In other words, it's something we can actively develop.

Grit matters because every worthwhile journey includes what Duckworth calls "the dark swamp of despair," those difficult moments when failure feels imminent. That's when most people give up. The grittiest keep going.

Why This Inspires

Duckworth's research levels the playing field in the most hopeful way possible. You don't need exceptional intelligence or rare talent to achieve your dreams. The teenager practicing guitar alone in their room every night, the basketball player who arrives at the gym first and leaves last, the salesperson who knocks on door number 13 after 12 rejections—they're all demonstrating the same learnable quality that defines high achievers.

The best part? You can start developing grit today. Find something you're passionate about, commit to it long-term, and refuse to quit when things get hard. Your natural abilities don't determine your ceiling—your willingness to persevere does.