What Is Grit?

Individuals embodying the ideals of grit achieve higher and are much more successful over the course of their lives than those not possessing the quality. Grit itself is the perseverance and passion towards long and short term goals as well as one’s overall courage and resolve in all situations. When one maintains their determination towards a goal despite challenges and failures, they can be said to have a high level of grit. The aspects of grit can be displayed in everyday activities and important short term events as well as in the long run with long-lasting goals. Events such as sports matches separate those who do and those who do not have grit as a quality. Those who continuously work towards winning the match no matter the circumstances
stand out through their effort and determination. Furthermore, individuals displaying grit show courage in their actions, and do not falter when those actions do not achieve their desired results. Many individuals are able to recall a moment when their grit was tested to be true, and the majority of them will also recall how they failed to live up to the challenge they faced.

Personally, I have one experience where my resolve was truly tested, and my grit shown through despite a seemingly awful obstacle. My experience with true grit occurred while playing a soccer match about one year ago, in the well known tournament, Surf Cup. It had come down to one final determining game to decide whether or not my team would advance to the semifinals, and everyone was counting on each other to win the game. Shortly after the opening whistle, I experienced crippling, sharp pain in both of my heels, extending to the arches of my feet. I knew something was seriously wrong, but knew that my team was counting on me and that they would be devastated if I left the game. Though the pain was unlike anything I had felt before in my life, I knew I had to show my grit and persevere through this challenge. Playing my absolute hardest despite the constant excruciating pain, I lasted the full length of the match, without question to my performance. Unfortunately the result of a tie was not enough to get my team through to the next round of competition. Later that day, after a trip to the urgent care, I found out that I had fractured both of my heel bones numerous times, and played through the entire ordeal. Working through the pain to compete in the match truly demonstrated my grit and determination towards completing my goals.