What Grit Really Teaches Us About Happiness with Professor Angela Duckworth | A Bit of Optimism

Comments · 89

• SE

  @SeedsForYourMind · 12 days ago

  A bit of optimism being key - only a bit! Because too much is just as toxic as too much pessimism - which also goes a long way in little doses. The key is to be balanced and to realise that optimism provides the necessary momentum to act, while pessimism acts as an essential calibration tool that anticipates failure and sharpens preparation.<br><br>Also, grit is a necessary ingredient - to be determined and persevering. But it&apos;s personal excellence, something that comes from only you, and to truly excel in the world out there we need each other as we&apos;re nothing in isolation. We&apos;re a social species and we thrive together, not alone.

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• IH

  @ihabiano · 7 months ago

  The internet has value because of people like you, Simon.

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• WQ

  @wqs72g · 5 months ago

  Would be interesting for Simon&apos;s team to analyse his speak time vs his guests&apos; speak time over the last year&apos;s worth of episodes.

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• E.

  @e.p.375 · 3 months ago

  I think Simon either has not read Angela&apos;s book or forgot some parts of it. Angela clearly explained in the last chapter that Grit is not the only predictor of a happy and successful life but it can a be a tool to get there. She also broke down in the book all the misconceptions about grit that Simon points out in this interview such as the myth that grit is unlimited willpower, or that having grit means you ignore signs of burnout. Angela explained the sustenance of grit is challenge in the form of tasks or situations combined with appropriate skill level and support (i.e. from an institution, team, or individual). Anyways, this was an interesting conversation to listen to. Excited for Angela&apos;s new book in September!!

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• RI

  @rijgrg1 · 7 months ago

  I genuinely couldn’t tell at times who was being interviewed because Simon talked over Angela so many times haha but what a fun conversation between the 2 legends

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• TH

  @thepaintedjesus · 7 months ago

  Angela is one of my favorite people to listen to.

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• JB

  @jbrkjferkjbekjb · 7 months ago

  i love how this is a legitimate convo and back-and-forth without it being a interviewer-interviewee dynamic. yet both have enough substance to carry a good convo.

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• KA

  @KAYRMotivates · 7 months ago

  Grit without belonging creates burnout, not greatness. Performance sustains in systems where people feel seen, supported, and part of something bigger. Achievement compounds when purpose and people come first.

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• CA

  @catatonicbug7522 · 7 months ago

  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAi2L_b1V2I&amp;t=250">4:10</a> I am a new manager, in my first year of being responsible for other people. I was asked to hold a &quot;stand-up&quot; meeting with a team of 25 people (employees of 2 other managers in the same department). I decided to incentivise helping others by asking the group at the end to give a &quot;shout out&quot; to anyone who they felt helped them last week. 4 people were identified, and I opened a box of candy bars and told those 4 to pick one. Its a simple gesture, but it ended the meeting with positivity and encouraged helping others and gratitude for that help.

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• TH

  @thegreennet · 2 months ago

  Not many visionaries 🤷‍♀️but lots of magicians 💫and 💚is all we need 🌱🌻

• MS

  @MS-lw2bh · 7 months ago

  Angela and &quot;I&quot; went to the beach. - signed, your English teacher

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• DA

  @daveconlon3453 · 7 months ago

  Working in groups is a great idea, but it is a difficult reality in practice. My ten-year-old daughter told me that &quot;working in groups sucks, Dad!&quot; I worried that she was becoming so cynical at such a young age. When questioned, she said, &quot;The teacher puts me with these kids who just want me to do all the work! I want the group to do well, so I do ALL the work!&quot; Lessons learned early from a well-intentioned teacher.

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