Why Grit Is More Important Than Talent: Lessons from Science and Stoica

Why Grit Is More Important Than Talent: Lessons from Science and Stoica

Introduction

What separates those who achieve their dreams from those who don’t? Talent helps, but resolve and consistency, or grit, might matter more. In Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Angela Duckworth unpacks why these two characteristics outperform talent in the long run. From soldiers to CEOs, gritty people thrive, and their stories inspire. At Stoica, we’re obsessed with helping you tap that power. Let’s explore the importance of grit through Duckworth’s lens, hear from icons who’ve lived it, and see how belief can fuel it. Your mind’s potential is the real game-changer.




Discussion: The Power of Grit


Angela Duckworth’s Grit defines grit as “passion and perseverance for long-term goals”.1 It’s not about brilliance—it’s about endurance. During her research, Duckworth developed an assessment designed to measure grittiness in West Point cadets: those with higher grit scores were 60% more likely to finish the brutal “Beast Barracks” training, even if less talented. Why? Gritty cadets kept showing up, day after grueling day. Duckworth also studied spelling bee champions. While a student’s verbal IQ was a positive indicator of their final placements, the students who studied relentlessly won nationals. Her Grit Scale, validated across studies, shows grit predicts success better than IQ .2

Beyond the book, grit shines in real-world giants. Marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, who broke the two-hour barrier, says, “No human is limited—you just keep going.” Stephen King’s resolve led him to become one of the most prolific authors of our time. After almost giving up entirely while writing Carrie, the finished novel went on to be rejected by 30 publishers. Even while living through extreme poverty and facing rejection after rejection, King continued on and as a result became the sensation known globally today. Both embody Duckworth’s “deliberate practice”—honing weaknesses over years.1 Grit isn’t instant—it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

 


Placebos: Grit’s Secret Booster


Grit takes effort, but belief can lighten the load—enter the placebo effect. Research shows placebos spark real changes when you trust them. According to a 2017 paper written at the University of Toronto, “Empirical research shows that preparation rituals improve subsequent performance…”.3 We’ve learned that consistency and hard work are what generate results, but how do we push through when motivation is lacking and the work is piling up? Honest placebos combine a simple daily ritual with the power of belief, something we already have access to. Billionaire Oprah Winfrey ties this to mindset: “You become what you believe—I stuck with my vision through every setback”.6 Belief amplifies grit’s staying power.

 

Try It Yourself

At Stoica, we’ve bottled this science into GRIT, SHIFT, and FLOW—placebo-powered tools for thriving. GRIT, our star, fuels your perseverance. Take two capsules with your morning beverage, set an intention—“I’m pushing through today”—and let belief kick in. Duckworth’s cadets thrived on grit; Kipchoge ran on it; King wrote with it—GRIT helps you channel that. Whether chasing a marathon, a novel, or a startup, Stoica’s GRIT turns belief into action. Small rituals, big wins—that’s how we thrive.

Call-to-Action

Ready to thrive with Stoicism?  Try GRIT, SHIFT, FLOW—$39.99 each or $99 Thrive Stack ($89/month sub). Start a ritual: 2 capsules, set an intention, own your response.


Works Cited

  1. Duckworth, Angela. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Scribner, 2016.

  2. Duckworth, Angela L., et al. “Grit: Perseverance and Passion for Long-Term Goals.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, vol. 92, no. 6, 2007, pp. 1087–1101, https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.92.6.1087.

  3. Hobson, Nicholas M, et al. “The psychology of rituals: An integrative review and process-based framework.” SSRN Electronic Journal, 2017, https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2944235. 

  4. Ingle, Sean. “Eliud Kipchoge Breaks Two-Hour Marathon Barrier.” The Guardian, 12 Oct. 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/oct/12/eliud-kipchoge-makes-history-sub-two-hour-marathon.

  5. “Stephen King- The Failure That Became a Success.” Medium, Failfection, 30 December 2021, https://medium.failfection.com/stephen-king-the-failure-that-became-a-success-c915181195fa.

  6. Winfrey, Oprah. “What I Know for Sure About Belief.” Oprah.com, 10 Mar. 2021, https://www.oprah.com/inspiration/oprah-winfrey-what-i-know-for-sure-about-belief.

 

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