Angela Duckworth, Professor at UPenn & Author, discusses the importance of passion, perseverance, and hard work. She encourages young people to pursue a life of dedication, happiness, and humor. The podcast covers topics such as being punctual, teaching grit to children, hiring gritty people, and the cost of hard work. Angela also shares insights on satisfaction, loneliness, and success as a journey.
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Quick takeaways
Excellence and life satisfaction are not mutually exclusive; young people should believe they can have both.
Having a supportive partner at home is crucial for high achievers, providing balance and perspective.
Passion is the driving force behind grit, fueling growth and propelling individuals forward.
Deep dives
Importance of Chasing Excellence and Grit
Chasing excellence and being gritty does not mean sacrificing happiness and life satisfaction. The data and personal experiences suggest that many people exemplify a life of dedication, hard work, and happiness while achieving their goals. It is crucial to debunk the misconception that excellence and fulfillment are mutually exclusive. Young people should be encouraged to believe that it is possible to have both.
The Role of a Strong Partner at Home
Having a strong partner at home is crucial for high achievers. This partner serves as a grounding force, providing perspective and balance in a world driven by ambition and relentless pursuit. They remind the individual of what truly matters in life, whether it's family, friends, or even enjoying simple leisure time. The presence of a supportive and loving partner is instrumental in navigating the challenges and sacrifices that come with chasing excellence.
The Power of Passion and Loving What You Do
Passion is the driving force behind grit, not just perseverance. It is the deep love for what one does that propels them forward. Being gritty means constantly learning and improving, driven by an unwavering commitment to their calling. When individuals genuinely love what they do, they not only overcome hardships but also excel in their pursuits. Passion fuels their growth, helping them close the gap between their current abilities and their potential.
Success as a Journey vs a Destination
The podcast explores the idea of success as a journey rather than a destination. Research from Stanford Business School suggests that framing success as a journey, focusing on learning and progress, can be more motivating and beneficial for individuals making good progress. However, the destination still holds importance, as exemplified by the determination and goal-oriented mindset of champions like Diana Nyad, who swam from Cuba to Florida. Ultimately, success is a combination of both the journey and the achievement of the desired outcome.
Changing Your Situation and the Role of Willpower
The podcast discusses the importance of changing one's situation in achieving success and highlights the limitations of relying solely on willpower. It emphasizes finding the right market or environment that enables effort to have a higher return on investment. The podcast suggests that changing one's situation strategically can lead to easier progress and success, rather than constantly fighting against challenging circumstances. It also mentions how much of our daily behavior is on autopilot, driven by habitual actions, and how optimizing these automatic behaviors can enhance productivity and success.
Guest: Angela Duckworth, professor at the University of Pennsylvania and author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
“There’s got to be a cost” when you pursue your passions, says University of Pennsylvania professor Angela Duckworth; in fact, the word “passion” comes from the Latin word for “suffering.” But that doesn’t mean that gritty people are unhappy. After the time needed for sleep, daily exercise, friends, and family, Dr. Duckworth explains, “what’s left is more than 40 hours.” Informed by her research and her own happiness, she tries to discourage her students from settling for a 9 to 5 life: “There’s so many people that exemplify a life of dedication, and hard work, and of happiness, and humor, and friends, and family, that I think we should tell young people, ‘Look, don't assume that's not possible.’”
In this episode, Angela and Joubin discuss being punctual, Danny Kahneman, AP Calculus, moving the finish line, teaching grit to children, Arthur Ashe, Diana Nyad, passion and sacrifice, hiring gritty people, “change your situation,” Marc Leder and Rodger Krouse, Invictus, ChatGPT, neural autopilot, and Steve Jobs.
In this episode, we cover:
“I have a thing with time” (01:36)
Being the GOAT (06:37)
Mr. Yom (09:27)
Chef Marc Vetri (14:15)
The Devil Wears Prada (16:03)
Talking about grit (18:12)
Satisfaction, loneliness, and happiness (20:24)
Success as a journey (28:23)
The cost of hard work (32:52)
Angela’s 70-hour work week (36:31)
Charisma and loving what you do (40:55)
Why high achievers have supportive partners (47:07)