ABS: Grit by Angela Duckworth
Athlete Book Suggestions -- September
The mental game is just as important (if not more important) to performance as the physical game is. Rest is also critical to an athlete's performance. That's why nonfiction reading is one of my favorite pastimes: I can let my body rest while training my mind. I wanted to share with you all some of the best athlete book suggestions (ABS) so you too can work on your mental game!
My very first ABS post naturally focuses on my favorite self-help book -- Grit by Angela Duckworth. I loved it so much that I did my entire AP Research project on it (thanks to everyone who helped out)! In her book, Duckworth investigates the most "successful" or longest-standing people in various fields. From spelling bees winners to businessmen and women to West Point Cadets, she has found that the people who thrive most share a certain trait: grit. According to Duckworth, grit is the measure of a person's passion and perseverance. And high achievers, like most elite student athletes, tend to have a lot of grit.
Benefits of reading:
Examples are one of the best ways to learn a practice. In Grit, Duckworth interviews high-achievers, such as Coach Pete Carroll of the Seahawks, who are great to learn from!
Duckworth argues that grit is the key to success and then provides several chapters of how to grow grit from both an internal and external perspective. Need I say more?
Duckworth's Grit Scale allows you to assess your own grit score. Self-discovery is critical for self-improvement, so this investigation into your own passion and perseverance can't hurt!
Best page or chapter:
Page 55 of Grit is the Grit Scale. You can fill in the scale and calculate your grit score (from 1-5). You can also find the scale on Duckworth's website (linked below). I'm a 4.8. What are you?
My favorite quote: "As much as talent counts, effort counts twice" (Duckworth 34).
Key takeaway: Grit grows! You are fully capable to develop your passion and perseverance. Who knows what you can do from there?
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