If you follow me on instagram (@KVictoriaChase), then you know that the non-fiction book I’m reading for the month of March is GRIT, by Angela Lee Duckworth, PhD.

My first introduction to Angela and her message about GRIT was in a TED Talk about passion and perseverance and that both working in tandem produce that intangible element that keeps us going through the toughest obstacles to win: GRIT

[Passion for justice and to catch her father’s killer and their perseverance through obstacles is why both Mattie Ross and Rooster Cogburn have TRUE GRIT]

In last night’s chapter about ‘Hope,’ I read those who are optimists with a ‘growth mindset’ are less likely to suffer depression, will be the ones most likely keep searching for ways to change their situation, will interpret failure as a sign to try harder instead of lacking the ability to succeed, and overall are happier, grittier people.

And grittier people are more likely to succeed than those with ‘fixed mindsets,’ who are pessimistic, more likely to be anxious, quicker to give up, have negative self-talk as a descriptor, who see themselves suffering without the ability to control it–which ultimately leads to a state of hopelessness.

I’m going to be frank; last year, after the release of my last book Strings of Subversion, you could’ve definitely used the previous paragraph to describe me. Sometimes, we writers can perceive our experiences in publishing–especially if they’re negative–as something we can’t control. Refreshing our Amazon KDP Dashboard and seeing no sales (when you have about 18 titles for sale) for 7 straight days. Seeing other new authors break out with one book. Counting dozens of reviews for a new book for from readers who not only promised a review, but delivered. Wondering how many more books do you have to write just to lower the odds of you selling one of each of a fraction of them, which would financially support you. Battling the rational that you could publish a book a month, but that’s no guarantee anyone will buy them–including those readers tell you they’re dying to read.

And on, and on, and on.

A lot of these challenges/obstacles are mental games. We writers have to have a ‘growth mindset,’ or an ‘abundant mindset’ as I’ve heard the phrase coined. Recognizing that we’re not fixed, unable to learn and adapt to our situations; that we can’t grow past our current state into something different or better/more capable/ready to tackle the next challenge. When you fail, you’ll see it as not only a learning opportunity, but a chance to leave what doesn’t work behind to celebrate what will work in the future. You have to believe in your success, because you’ll need GRIT to get there. See the goal to achieve it. It’s not the ‘name it, claim it’ strategy. Simply put, the more the goal is in the forefront of your mind, the more likely you’ll remain positive and focused on achieving it, thereby making decisions that’ll put you on a trajectory to success.

I didn’t publish anything after that May release. This is the longest I’ve gone without publishing a book in the last, I believe 5 years.

I don’t have time to play the blame game anymore. The more time I waste assigning my lack of whatever on someone or something else is time I could be using to get me one minute closer to success.

A ‘fixed mindset’ is detrimental to not only your health but your situation. You’ve virtually guaranteed your outcome will be the opposite of what you truly want.

Go get what you want. Let your passion and perseverance work together. Get GRIT.

Let’s read it together!

Below is Dr. Duckworth’s TED Talk. It’s worth a listen (Only 6 minutes).

Only those on this Wait List will know about these new books.

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Video Credit: Youtube

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