[cheering] Have you ever been told that you're not good enough, that you're not smart enough, that you're not connected enough, that you're not talented enough, that you don't fit the part? I have. As an adjunct professor at FIU, I get to go to many events. My favorite event is the leadership lecture series. They bring authors from many parts of the country, usually educators. I'm an educator. I'm an author. I thought I had a chance. I go to see the director of the center of leadership, who are the people t ...

Core Message - Grit, defined as perseverance, is the number one determining factor in success, outweighing passion [1] - Grit is not innate but can be honed through adversity [2] - The speaker shares personal stories of overcoming abuse, financial collapse, and a spouse's cancer diagnosis to illustrate the principles of grit [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Three Rules of Grit - Comparison: Avoid comparing oneself to others, as it leads to discouragement [12][13][14] - Purgatory: Recognize that the middle stage of pursuing a goal is difficult and requires pushing through despite fading passion [14][15][16] - Goats: Don't let others "get your goat," meaning don't allow others to agitate or distract you; instead, "be the goat," offering stability and guidance to others [16][17][18][19] Grit Promise - Life is challenging and unfair, but one must persevere through setbacks [20][21] - Scars and visible cracks are proof of survival and resilience [22] - By embracing grit, individuals can rise from adversity and rebuild themselves [22]