Chapter 13 Summary

Duckworth writes because she believes in “the power of grit to help you achieve your potential.” Duckworth argues that grit—the passion and perseverance for long-term goals—matters more than talent. She proposes that grit can develop from the inside out and from the outside in. She explains that grittier people tend to be happier and more emotionally healthy. People with grit keep going in the face of adversity, staying focused on a goal they find interesting and purposeful. Still, although grit is important, Duckworth acknowledges that it is not the only important quality. Goodness is important, too.

Chapter 13 Analysis

By the close of the book, the reader has explored the mystery of success, guided by Duckworth, who has established herself as both an expert and a friend. She shared the perplexing questions that propelled her interest and took the reader to the offices of noted psychologists, celebrities, and professional athletes. “This book has been my way of taking you out for a coffee and telling you what I know,” she writes. In this concluding chapter, she continues to share her expertise and does so with encouragement and respect for the reader. She believes in the reader’s ability to develop grit and help to grow it in others. Her optimism is believable because she is an expert and has shown how to grow grit in manageable ways. Most important, Duckworth has modeled grit throughout her quest to understand success better.