A book review by Lucía Guerrero, Spark & Ascend mom.
Reading Grit by Angela Duckworth was a game changer in my life.
First, it reminded me of how many times I’d been dazzled by talent, that innate ability I saw in others when I was a child. In the learning environment I grew up in, the adults leading us often praised those who finished quickly, those for whom things came naturally and effortlessly. I remember I stopped studying and practicing piano because I didn’t see that innate ability in myself. Looking back, I regret it. Still, it’s never too late to return to it, and from time to time, I’ve gone back to the piano.
Second, as I read this book, I remembered how many times I had praised and admired how easily numbers and strategy games came to my child. I also remember that, around that time, I enrolled my Puma in climbing and, in my head, I compared my son to his cousin, who on the very first day managed to climb the entire wall. Thank goodness, and thank life, this book arrived at the perfect moment, because I was able to accompany my child through the process of reaching the top.
When I understood that what mattered wasn’t doing it fast, but perseverance, the ability to get back up after difficulty and keep trying, that was my wake-up call. How would I accompany my child? The goal wasn’t to reach the top as quickly as possible. The goal was how much my Puma advanced each session, what fears my child faced, how my son became aware of what he had achieved: “before I did X, now I can do Y,” and how his skill had been developing over time.
After several months, my child managed to reach the top. I remember that day I cried with joy as I watched my Puma persist through fears and keep putting in effort. I cried for the path traveled and for the big learning it gave me. The goal wasn’t reaching the top. The goal was how my child strengthened character and mindset in the face of difficulty. I became a warm, encouraging mentor, although my son doesn’t always love it when I’m especially warm, particularly in front of other people.
Third, throughout this book I was able to examine myself in my role as a Guide: how easily I could hold high expectations for some Learners and not for others. I also reflected on how those positive expectations for some and negative expectations for others can turn into self-fulfilling prophecies about the performance of the young people I interact with over the course of a term.
Grit wasn’t just an invitation for me to look differently at talent, effort, parenting, and my own guiding practice. That’s why I want to briefly share what you’ll find in this book and why I think you might feel inspired to read it.
What You’ll Find in Grit and Why It’s Worth Reading:
1) A grit assessment: How passionate and persevering are you? If you want to try it, here’s the official grit scale quiz. It would be wonderful to see how we score as Mapaches and encourage one another to stay on this path.
2) Inspiring stories of people who have cultivated their grit
Stories that show what perseverance looks like across real lives and real challenges.
3) The relationship between purpose and grit: How having a deeper “why” can strengthen our ability to stay the course.
4) A parenting style that fosters grit: Practical ideas for the kind of support that helps a Puma grow resilience and long-term commitment.
5) The connection between grit and a growth mindset: How beliefs about learning and ability can either expand or shrink what we’re willing to attempt.
6) Strategies to develop grit in your Puma and in yourself: Because grit is not only something we hope for in our children. It’s something we can build, practice, and strengthen too.