Chapters 7-8 Summary

Chapter 7 explores the psychological asset of practice. Cognitive psychologist Anders Ericsson found that experts not only practice more, but they practice differently than novices, in what he terms “deliberate practice.” They set narrow goals, strive to improve weaknesses, and seek challenges. Then they set bigger, “stretch” goals, meet them, and set new ones.

Duckworth and Ericsson study National Spelling Bee champions to determine if deliberate practice leads to improvements or if grit enables spellers to practice more. They find that grittier spellers practice more but that “deliberate practice” predicts advancement in the competition.

The “mature passions of gritty people” depend on purpose as well as interest. Purpose, such as the desire to contribute to others’ well-being, distinguishes “grit paragons.” Interest and purpose together provide powerful motivation. Duckworth cautions readers not to think in terms of “finding a calling,” however. Instead, people should look for goals that both fulfill their own needs and help others.

Chapters 7-8 Analysis

Duckworth exposes an incorrect assumption in her early thinking about grit: that the “major advantage of grit was, simply, more time on task.” In her discussion of practice, the second psychological asset of grit, she draws on the notion of “kaizen,” the Japanese word for “continuous improvement,” to introduce a critical change in her understanding about the role of practice, that practice needs to be purposeful. The work of cognitive psychologist Anders Ericsson explains how purposeful practice improves skill.

Evidence of Duckworth’s own grit emerges in Chapter 7 as she returns to her interest in National Spelling Bee competitors. Her abiding interest suggests that her work on success is truly a passion. She keeps her interest fresh by continually asking new questions.

In Chapter 8, Duckworth explores purpose, the second source of passion, along with interest. Profiles of grit paragons support the notion that an other-centered focus distinguishes those who passionately persevere toward their goals. Duckworth acknowledges a limitation of her research: her samples don’t include many “gritty villains.” She continues to drive home the point that grit is within the reader’s grasp by showing that purpose is less about circumstances than perspective.