Grit 2

(Wednesday)

Context:

On Monday we appreciated the importance of lifelong learning and the first key quality of grit: curiosity.

In today’s lesson, we’ll focus on two more qualities that will allow you to develop grit and become a lifelong learner: determination and accountability.

Why it’s important: As mentioned at the outset of this lesson, you will not be successful in school, work, or life if you quit when things become difficult or you run into an obstacle.

Excuses might work when explaining why a school assignment isn’t turned in on time or at all. But excuses don’t fly in the workplace. Employers don’t want to hear about excuses, they want to hear about your solutions.

Curiosity and Determination go hand-in-hand.

Scientists and researchers are curious by nature. They are constantly trying to answer questions, find solutions, and push the limits of what is known. But coupled with their curiosity is determination. Without determination, they might give up before finding the answers they are seeking.

Primer Questions

1) Are you a patient person? Are you patient with yourself and others?

3) Are you an appreciative person? Are you able to see yourself in a positive, appreciative light?

3) Are you known as someone who will get things done? Do people associate you with the word ‘dependable’?

Write your thoughts in your journal.

Determined people believe their future is in their control

Some people believe they have no control over the direction of their careers. You might think that no matter what you do, you will never get the results you want. In some cases, you may believe the only thing that will affect your future is outside forces.

Determined people know that the actions and decisions of others affect them, but they also believe that their future is in their control. - indeed.com Career advice

Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Have you heard that saying? What does it mean to you?

What are two life hacks to remaining determined in the face of obstacles?

Watch the video.

Adaptability

Most of us don’t like change. We get used to doing things a specific way and want them to stay that way. It’s familiar and safe. Change forces us to adapt, to get out of our comfort zone.

But life is full of changes. Are you ready? How can you prepare yourself now?

Watch the video.

Adaptability is a person’s ability to adjust to changes in their environment. Your success in work and life will be determined by how flexible you can be.

“A bend in the road is not the end of the road…unless you fail to make the turn.” – Hellen Keller.

Effective strategies to champion change when entering the workforce.

Be responsive and excited about new information. It may not be what you expected, so ask questions and do research.
Be open to new goals and roles, even if they don’t match your current skill set. It may be challenging at first but may increase or improve your skill set.
Commit to personal development. This shows recruiters and hiring managers that you are comfortable with change and approaching something new and different.
Determine what is in your control and what is not. There is no use in wasting energy on things you cannot control, but you can be proactive on things that are in your control or that you may influence.
Volunteer to join a team on a new project. View it as a learning and growth opportunity. This will give you an opportunity to work with diverse groups of people that may have different views.
Suggest or implement improvements to a work process. Demonstrate initiative; show that you can adapt to the changes that will result from the new process.
Stay current with what is changing in your industry or area of business. Keep one step ahead.

Based on Learn and Grow: What is adaptability in the workplace?