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MacArthur Fellowship grantee Angela Lee Duckworth talks about why success takes "grit," and whether it's possible to teach people to be "grittier."

Mike McRaith's blog summary of Angela's Psychology of Achievement Presentation

Video: Psychologist Angela Duckworth and high school seniors Anita Rao and Damani Eubanks speak about the importance of changing your surroundings to help prioritize schoolwork - even your bed can be a comfy distraction!

Interview about winning a MacArthur Genius Award in 2013 and Other Articles

NPR story: Angela Duckworth explains her theory of "grit" as a predictor of success.

"The Duckworth Lab focuses on two traits that predict success in life: grit and self-control. Grit is the tendency to sustain interest in and effort toward very long-term goals. Self-control is the voluntary regulation of behavioral, emotional, and attentional impulses in the presence of momentarily gratifying temptations or diversions."

"This question is motivated by two everyday intuitions, both of which have been confirmed in empirical research: First, some people are, in general, more persistent and passionate about long-term goals. Compared to their less gritty peers, these individuals are more resilient in the face of adversity, bouncing back after failure and disappointment and otherwise staying the course even when progress is not obvious. Second, grit predicts success. Grit is not the only determinant of success - opportunity and talent matter, too. But on average, grittier individuals are more successful than others, particularly in very challenging situations."

Facebook, Angry Birds, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, and other pursuits which bring pleasure in the moment but are immediately regretted.

Angela Lee Duckworth's now famous TED talk explaining her theory of "grit" as a predictor of success.