You’ll Figure It Out

Summary

Persistence and grit are essential for achieving one's dreams, but they must be coupled with adaptability and the willingness to learn from failures to ultimately succeed.

Abstract

The article emphasizes the importance of perseverance, suggesting that while grit is a key factor in achieving success, it is not sufficient on its own. It acknowledges that one can have unwavering determination and still not reach their goals if they are on the wrong path or fail to reassess their strategies. The author argues that true grit involves not just persistence but also the wisdom to recognize when a change in approach is necessary. Success requires a balance between never giving up and being flexible enough to overcome obstacles through continuous learning and adaptation. The piece encourages readers to embrace the challenges and to keep striving for their dreams with the understanding that grit is a two-way street—it keeps one in the game, but success also depends on one's ability to evolve and grow.

Opinions

Grit is admirable but insufficient for success; one must also be willing to adapt and learn.
Continuously failing without reassessing strategies is not a testament to grit but rather a potential sign of folly.
The pursuit of dreams requires both persistence and the ability to recognize and correct what isn't working.
Success is not just about not quitting; it's about having the determination to figure out the right approach.
Grit should be paired with intentional living and providing value to the world.
The author suggests that the true power lies in transforming an optimistic thought into a realized dream through perseverance and smart work.
The article posits that one should not give up when things are hard but rather when they are easy, to truly test their commitment.
It is crucial to learn from failures and not repeat the same mistakes, using grit as a tool for experimentation and growth.
The author believes that success is a long-term commitment that requires embracing the unknown and being unafraid of the challenges ahead.

To those who doubt they will

There’s something to be said for persistence. There’s something admirable about grit. There’s something miraculous about a human who won’t give in; A human, who, without giving up, pushes through foreseen and unforeseen adversity despite everything within them that tells them to stand down.

If you want to succeed, it’s no secret that quitting pulls you away from that dream. I’d argue that we never “quit” on our dreams anyway. It’s always there, whether we decide to pursue it or not. It clouds our minds and plagues our thoughts. The regret of having not tried seeps into our skulls.

Grit isn’t all you need. You can have grit and still fail. You can pursue a dream forever and never make it. You could have a plethora of grit but still fail because maybe it wasn’t “grit” you were lacking. Maybe you were on the wrong path. Maybe you tried and tried without thinking about what wasn’t working. You can “never back down” all you want — that doesn’t mean you’re going to make it. Maybe it means you’re being stupid. Maybe it means you should quit.

Or does it?

Despite grit not being the only thing you need to accomplish your dreams, maybe it’s the X factor. If you know that you will never quit, no matter how much this thing in front of you frustrates you — this thing that you deep down want to accomplish — then maybe that’s a great starting point. If you know you aren’t going to quit, why continue to fail? If you know you aren’t going to quit, then you need to succeed. It’s imperative that you figure this thing out.

Maybe you’re not insane. Maybe you’re the sanest person out there. At least you have something to stand for. At least you are living life with intention. At least you are thinking about where you may want to end up. At least you’re growing and providing value to a world that lacks it.

Ultimately, we decide how much we suffer. If you’re not going to quit, you might as well succeed. If you’re never going to back down, even when you lie and say that you’re going to quit, then don’t let your grit be a waste.

You have to figure it out. Grit is stronger than persistence. Grit is supposed to be the thing that pushes you past failing over and over to eventual success.

But you can’t depend on grit alone. You have to hold up your end of the bargain. Grit will keep you in the game, but it can’t win it for you. You need grit as much as it needs you.

The only thing your dreams want from you is for you to figure out how to avoid keeping them as a dream, but make them reality instead.

An accomplished dream is as much of a lottery winner as it is to be born. Perhaps the greatest power is being able to give birth to a dream that was once an optimistic thought meandering in that doubtful skull of yours.

Keep at it, whatever it is you’re doing. You will figure it out because you have to. Because you must. Because you aren’t going to waste your time. Because this thing is a part of you that makes you feel alive and fulfilled and meaningful in this little big world of ours. Because you care more about accomplishing the dream than letting it fall to the wayside of your stubborn grit that refuses to let it go. Because you mean to hold up your end of the bargain. Because you are capable. Because you believe. Because you are.

Figure it out. I know this is probably the most unhelpful advice I could offer you, but ultimately it’s you who comes up with the solution. Fail, and fail all the time. Don’t give up if it’s still within you. Don’t give up when things are hard, do it when things are easy and see if you give up then. Pursue despite all the adversity, but don’t repeat the same thing that caused you to fail in the first place. Learn from them.

Grit is designed to make sure that you are testing out and experimenting with everything that won’t work. Learn from your grit and it will provide for you. Choose to do what needs to be done. Choose to figure it out. Choose to run full force into the unknown because despite what’s ahead, you aren’t scared of it. No, you live for it. You don’t have a choice. If it’s success that you’re after, you’re in it for the long haul. And you have no idea how long or hard of a haul it is until you do it.