**Dear Reader: Building Grit and Resilience in Turbulent Times**
Grit. Drive. Hustle. Resilience. Are these qualities something you’re born with, or can they be learned and developed over time? How can you become more resilient, especially during turbulent times? And what exactly is grit?
Angela Duckworth, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, CEO of Character Lab, and author of the bestselling book *Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance*, reveals a winning formula for outstanding achievement. According to her research, success is not about talent alone—it’s about passion and persistence, collectively known as grit.
Essentially, grit can be learned. The equation for achieving your goals emphasizes grit:
**Talent × Effort = Skill**
**Skill × Effort = Achievement**
Effort, consistency, and sustained commitment are key ingredients that set you up for success. Additionally, your environment plays a role—minimizing distractions can help you stay focused on your long-term goals.
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### The Power of Effort: A Real-Life Example
Shirin Behzadi, entrepreneur, CEO, and author of *The Unexpected CEO: My Journey from Gas Station Cashier to Billion-Dollar CEO*, started her journey in survival mode. Fleeing Iran as a teenager, she found herself working behind bulletproof glass at a Los Angeles gas station.
“I had to rely on resilience and self-reliance from the beginning,” said Behzadi. Her mindset of building a better life and telling everyone one day she would run a large company fueled her determination.
“As I faced more challenges and overcame them, I became more resilient. Challenge and change were my best teachers,” she added.
Her path was far from linear, with obstacles aplenty. Yet, she never stopped believing she could succeed. “I became a CEO because I believed I could. That belief helped me achieve what I had envisioned—running a big company.”
Behzadi is passionate about encouraging others to embrace the attitude of “because you can.” According to her, “You can accomplish, build, grow and live the life of your vision.”
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### Tips to Cultivate Grit and Resilience
Behzadi shares some effective strategies for building grit and resilience:
– **Reframe challenges as teachers, not barriers.** Ask yourself, *“What is this here to teach me?”*
– **Define the problem and shift your perspective.** Sometimes, the problem lies in how you’re viewing the situation. Taking a step back to reassess can lead you to the best course of action.
– **Keep moving forward.** “In times of crisis or adversity, it’s natural to freeze or feel disoriented,” Behzadi explains. “But eventually, you need to find your way forward.” Taking steps to understand your circumstances and deciding your next move pushes you toward recovery and growth.
“Adversity can be a superpower,” she adds, “but like any tool, it must be used wisely. If you view adversity as an opportunity for growth, it becomes one of your most powerful teachers and allies.”
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Building grit and resilience isn’t something reserved for the naturally gifted; it’s a deliberate practice that anyone can cultivate. Through passion, persistence, and a willingness to learn from challenges, you too can achieve your long-term goals—no matter the obstacles along the way.
*Tribune News Service*
https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/11/02/how-to-become-more-resilient-in-the-workplace/
