The Power of Perseverance
Extensive research has been conducted on this subject, yielding varied findings regarding the greatest predictor of success in children.
However, one key attribute consistently emerges across most studies—grit or perseverance. This makes perfect sense, particularly when considered from a practical perspective.
Children who adopt a ‘never give up’ approach to life tend to achieve greater success in later years, both academically and in other aspects of life. I have witnessed this time and time again in the pupils I have taught over the years, with many of the hard-working, but struggling, children ultimately outperforming those who may have started with greater natural talent.
This is one of the reasons I am so passionate about cross-country running. While we celebrate the winners, the true champions are those children who , despite the challenges they face, keep going even when they find it tough. It is in these moments that true character is built.
As the saying goes, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!” At our cross country this year, both at practices and in the race, I will be paying particular attention to those who ‘plod along’ and just keep going.
Research supporting these ideas can be found in the research work of Angela Duckworth’s and her Grit Theory
