What Is A Gritty Mindset
Have you ever chased after something that mattered so much to you… only to feel knocked down at every turn?
I remember seasons when I was playing small shows, lugging my guitar into half-empty rooms, pouring my heart out through music only to drive home exhausted, wondering if anyone even heard me. Later, as a new mom, I felt grit in a different way: sitting up in the middle of the night, baby in one arm, laptop on the other, trying to keep a business alive while figuring out how to feed a newborn on two hours of sleep.
That, my friend, is what a gritty mindset looks like in real life.
We talk a lot about having a “good mindset,” and yes, it matters. But grit? That’s the glue that holds you together when life doesn’t go the way you planned.
It’s the perseverance that carries you through the days when everything feels too heavy — like the mornings I’ve sat at my desk surrounded by half-written notes, coffee gone cold, and a baby monitor buzzing beside me. It’s the belief that you can keep showing up even when the results aren’t instant, even when no one is clapping, even when your heart whispers, is this even working?
I’ve lived that tension — chasing dreams, tending to family, trying to hold it all — and I’ve learned that grit isn’t about doing it perfectly. It’s about refusing to quit on yourself.
So today, I want to unpack what a gritty mindset is, why it matters, and how you can nurture it in your own life — even in the messy, ordinary moments.
What Is A Gritty Mindset
A gritty mindset is more than talent. It’s more than luck. It’s the commitment to keep moving forward, especially when the path is hard.
Psychologist Angela Duckworth describes grit as passion plus perseverance — sticking with your long term goals even when motivation fades, distractions pile up, or setbacks try to derail you.
I think of grit as the quiet strength inside you that says: I’ll try again tomorrow.
And here’s the thing — gritty people aren’t fearless superheroes. They’re parents who keep showing up for their kids during sleepless nights. Entrepreneurs who keep creating even when their launches flop. Artists who keep painting when no one is buying. Grit shows up in the ordinary, daily decision to keep going.
And trust me — that matters more than raw talent ever will.
How Are Grit And Growth Mindset Related
A growth mindset whispers: I can grow, I can change, I can learn.
Grit responds: And I’ll keep showing up long enough to see it happen.
They work hand-in-hand. Growth mindset opens the door, grit walks you through it. Without grit, growth stays a nice idea. With grit, growth becomes your reality.
Why Is Grit Important To Growth Mindset
Grit Fuels Perseverance
When I launched my first podcast — the downloads trickled in, and it would have been easy to quit. Grit reminded me that the seeds I was planting needed time. When your growth feels slow, grit helps you keep moving.
Grit Shapes Long Term Goals
It’s easy to set goals when you’re inspired. It’s harder to stick to them months later when you’re tired. Grit helps you stay the course, refining as you go.
Grit Reframes Setbacks
A growth mindset says, “failure is part of learning.” Grit makes you live that truth, saying: good job for trying — now let’s adjust and try again.
Grit Builds Inner Trust
Every time you keep going, even when it’s hard, you prove to yourself that you can. That trust builds confidence that spills into your relationships, your work, and your dreams.
What Keeps Us From Developing A Grit Mindset
Negative Self Talk
That whisper of, “You’re not enough,” can crush grit before it grows.
Fear of Failure
So many dreams stall because we’re scared to fall short.
Comparison
I’ve felt it scrolling through social media — looking at someone else’s highlight reel and wondering why my life feels messy in comparison. That comparison robs us of the perseverance to keep going.
Burnout
Without rest, grit turns into grind. And grind steals joy.
Short-Term Thinking
We live in a culture of instant gratification, but grit is about playing the long game. Without vision, it’s easy to give up too soon.
How To Develop Grit Mindset
Clarify Your Why
When I started The Freq Show, my “why” wasn’t about downloads — it was about connection. Having that anchor carried me through the awkward first episodes.
Celebrate Small Wins
Write down every victory — even the tiny ones. The first client email. The day you showed up to work out when you didn’t feel like it. Grit is built in the small steps.
Use the Grit Scale as a Guide
Sometimes it helps to see where you are. The grit scale isn’t a judgment, it’s a tool for awareness.
Reframe Failure
When something doesn’t work out, don’t spiral. Whisper to yourself: good job for trying. Failure becomes information, not identity.
Rest as Part of Grit
Grit isn’t about white-knuckling through life. It’s about sustainable perseverance. That means taking naps, laughing with friends, walking outside. Rest fuels grit.
Pair Grit with Abundance
Perseverance gets heavy without hope. I’ve found pairing grit with an abundance mindset helps me stay soft while being strong. If you’re curious, I share my favorite best books on abundance mindset, which beautifully complement grit.
Final Thought
Grit isn’t glamorous. It’s not shiny Instagram posts or perfect résumés. It’s often unseen — like the nights you keep going when no one is cheering, or the mornings you show up when you’d rather hide.
I know how it feels to want to give up. To wonder if your dream is worth the energy. To feel like maybe you’re not cut out for it. But let me remind you: grit matters.
It will carry you farther than you imagine. Every small act of perseverance is proof that you’re building something bigger than this moment. And that strength?
So don’t quit. Take a breath. Take the next small step. And remember — you are grittier than you think.