--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being gritty doesn't mean not showing…" description: "\"Being gritty doesn't mean not showing pain or pretending everything is O.K. In fact, when you look at healthy and successful and giving people, they ar..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/angela-duckworth-2560_grit_being-gritty-doesn-t-mean-not-showing-pa_817932.jpg" --- # Being gritty doesn't mean not showing pain or pretending… ![“Being gritty doesn't mean not showing pain or pretending everything is O.K. In fact, when you look at healthy and successful and giving people, they are extraordinarily meta-cognitive. They're able to say things like, 'Dude, I totally lost my temper this morning.' That ability to reflect on…” quote by Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/angela-duckworth-2560_grit_being-gritty-doesn-t-mean-not-showing-pa_817932.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/angela-duckworth-2560_grit_being-gritty-doesn-t-mean-not-showing-pa_817932.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0a/angela-duckworth-2560_grit_being-gritty-doesn-t-mean-not-showing-pa_817932.jpg) > “Being gritty doesn't mean not showing pain or pretending everything is O.K. In fact, when you look at healthy and successful and giving people, they are extraordinarily meta-cognitive. They're able to say things like, 'Dude, I totally lost my temper this morning.' That ability to reflect on yourself is signature to grit.” [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Grit includes self‑awareness; acknowledging pain and mistakes is a sign of strength, not weakness. **In simple terms:** Grit means being honest about struggles. Key Takeaway Practice honest self‑reflection. Themes grit self‑awareness resilience Mood motivational encouraging Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - leadership - sports - personal growth - education Key Concepts meta‑cognition emotional intelligence Questions to Reflect On - How does admitting failure help you improve? - What habits foster meta‑cognitive reflection? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Grit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grit/) [Gritty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gritty/) [Gritty Doesn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gritty-doesn-344832/) [Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/look/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Morning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morning/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Signature Grit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/signature-grit-344833/) [Temper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temper/) ## Related quotes > [Grit is not synonymous with hard work. It involves a certain single-mindedness. An ungritty prison inmate will mount a daring new escape attempt every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-heath/grit-is-not-synonymous-with-hard-work-it-involves-a-certain-single/) [Chip Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-heath/) > [ “According to Dr. Angela Duckworth, grit is passion and perseverance toward long-term goals. \[...\] Grit is sticking to one thing for years or even decades.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-p-hardy/according-to-dr-angela-duckworth-grit-is-passion-and-perseverance/) [Benjamin P. Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-p-hardy/) > [“To be gritty is to resist complacency.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/to-be-gritty-is-to-resist-complacency/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [One thing that's true of gritty people is they love what they do, and they keep loving what they do. So they're not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/one-thing-that-s-true-of-gritty-people-is-they-love-what-they-do-and/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“To be gritty is to keep putting one foot in front of the other. To be gritty is to hold fast to an interesting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/to-be-gritty-is-to-keep-putting-one-foot-in-front-of-the-other-to-be/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [Grittier students are more likely to earn their diplomas; grittier teachers are more effective in the classroom. Grittier soldiers are more likely to complete…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grittier-students-are-more-likely-to-earn-their-diplomas-grittier/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [I think the questions on the grit scale about not letting setbacks disappoint you, finishing what you begin, doing things with focus, I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/i-think-the-questions-on-the-grit-scale-about-not-letting-setbacks/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“If you want to bring forth grit in your child, first ask how much passion and perseverance you have for your own life goals.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/if-you-want-to-bring-forth-grit-in-your-child-first-ask-how-much/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [Grit may carry risk because it's about putting all your eggs in one basket, to some extent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-may-carry-risk-because-it-s-about-putting-all-your-eggs-in-one/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“there’s a hard way to get grit and an easy way. The hard way is to do it by yourself. The easy way is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/there-s-a-hard-way-to-get-grit-and-an-easy-way-the-hard-way-is-to-do/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [We have found a direct correlation between grit and positive emotions, but the fact that I have no evidence that grit is bad for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/we-have-found-a-direct-correlation-between-grit-and-positive-emotions/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“Two indicators could easily be rephrased as passion items for the Grit Scale. Degree to which he works with distant objects in view (as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/two-indicators-could-easily-be-rephrased-as-passion-items-for-the/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [The parenting style that is good for grit is also the parenting style good for most other things: Be really, really demanding, and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/the-parenting-style-that-is-good-for-grit-is-also-the-parenting-style/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“trying to do things they can't yet do, failing, and learning what they need to do differently is exactly the way that experts practice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/trying-to-do-things-they-can-t-yet-do-failing-and-learning-what-they/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) ## More by Angela Duckworth > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“you can, in fact, modify your self-talk, and you can learn to not let it interfere with you moving toward your goals. With practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/you-can-in-fact-modify-your-self-talk-and-you-can-learn-to-not-let-it/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [One thing that's true of gritty people is they love what they do, and they keep loving what they do. So they're not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/one-thing-that-s-true-of-gritty-people-is-they-love-what-they-do-and/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [The focus on just thinking about standardized test scores as being synonymous with achievement for teenagers is ridiculous, right? There are so many things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/the-focus-on-just-thinking-about-standardized-test-scores-as-being/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“Nobody wants to show you the hours and hours of becoming. They’d rather show the highlight of what they’ve become.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/nobody-wants-to-show-you-the-hours-and-hours-of-becoming-they-d/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [I don't spend a lot of time thinking about my genes because I can't do anything about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/i-don-t-spend-a-lot-of-time-thinking-about-my-genes-because-i-can-t/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“My longitudinal studies show these three virtue clusters predict different outcomes. For academic achievement, including stellar report card grades, the cluster containing grit is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/my-longitudinal-studies-show-these-three-virtue-clusters-predict/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“For many of us, the companies we work for are an important cultural force in our lives. For instance, growing up, my dad liked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/for-many-of-us-the-companies-we-work-for-are-an-important-cultural/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“trying to do things they can't yet do, failing, and learning what they need to do differently is exactly the way that experts practice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/trying-to-do-things-they-can-t-yet-do-failing-and-learning-what-they/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [Negative feelings are typical of learning, and you shouldn't feel like you're stupid when you're frustrated doing something. You might say to yourself, 'I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/negative-feelings-are-typical-of-learning-and-you-shouldn-t-feel-like/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [I was a good novice teacher, but I did the things that were obvious. I stayed for lunch for extra tutoring, gave kids my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/i-was-a-good-novice-teacher-but-i-did-the-things-that-were-obvious-i/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“The separation of talent and skill,” Will Smith points out, “is one of the greatest misunderstood concepts for people who are trying to excel,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/the-separation-of-talent-and-skill-will-smith-points-out-is-one-of/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [What we reliably find is that people's perseverance scores are actually higher than their passion scores, and I think it really does get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/what-we-reliably-find-is-that-people-s-perseverance-scores-are/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [Many things matter other than our measured intelligence, so let's get to work on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/many-things-matter-other-than-our-measured-intelligence-so-let-s-get/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [“With everything perfect,” Nietzsche wrote, “we do not ask how it came to be.” Instead, “we rejoice in the present fact as though it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/with-everything-perfect-nietzsche-wrote-we-do-not-ask-how-it-came-to/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) [Explore all 161 Angela Duckworth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) ## More Grit quotes > [Grit and self-control are related, but they're not the same thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-duckworth/grit-and-self-control-are-related-but-they-re-not-the-same-thing/) [Angela Duckworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-duckworth/) > [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [When my main character in 'Heat' climbs the tower, the highest diving platform, hoping to resume competitive diving after an injury, I am there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cadnum/when-my-main-character-in-heat-climbs-the-tower-the-highest-diving/) [Michael Cadnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cadnum/) > [Londoners are really good at dealing with any crap that's thrown at them. We hunker down, we grit our teeth and we get on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andi-oliver/londoners-are-really-good-at-dealing-with-any-crap-that-s-thrown-at/) [Andi Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andi-oliver/) > [You know I'm from North Carolina, so I grew up eating grits, honey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tabitha-brown/you-know-i-m-from-north-carolina-so-i-grew-up-eating-grits-honey/) [Tabitha Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tabitha-brown/) > [Grit can't be measured on pop quizzes, but it can often predict long-term success more than mere intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-moser/grit-can-t-be-measured-on-pop-quizzes-but-it-can-often-predict-long/) [Laura Moser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-moser/) > [“The grits were lumpy, but the flavor was incredible: the garlic and onion powder, the cayenne's heat lingering after every bite, the creamy tang…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shauna-robinson/the-grits-were-lumpy-but-the-flavor-was-incredible-the-garlic-and/) [Shauna Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shauna-robinson/) > [I like the man who takes the stones Upon his rocky road With smiling lips instead of groans, Whate'er his heavy load Who seizes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kendrick-bangs/i-like-the-man-who-takes-the-stones-upon-his-rocky-road-with-smiling/) [John Kendrick Bangs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kendrick-bangs/) > [“Before all the little mean things she told me gathered and gathered and lodged like grit in a skinned knee.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/before-all-the-little-mean-things-she-told-me-gathered-and-gathered/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [Will you keep going when you don't know why? When you can't get any answers that would make the pain go away, will you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/will-you-keep-going-when-you-don-t-know-why-when-you-can-t-get-any/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [I like grit, I like love and death, I'm tired of irony. ... A lot of good fiction is sentimental. ... The novelist who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harrison/i-like-grit-i-like-love-and-death-i-m-tired-of-irony-a-lot-of-good/) [Jim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harrison/) > [It was 1988, I believe, that I met Grit. We were both appearing in a Canadian Folk Festival and as we sat backstage he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-chapin/it-was-1988-i-believe-that-i-met-grit-we-were-both-appearing-in-a/) [Tom Chapin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-chapin/) > [True grit is making a decision and standing by it, doing what must be done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wayne/true-grit-is-making-a-decision-and-standing-by-it-doing-what-must-be/) [John Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wayne/) > [“Life is messy. Grit and grace come at us fast, side by side. Sometimes the grit becomes overwhelming and diminishes our spirit. What’s good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-e-rainey/life-is-messy-grit-and-grace-come-at-us-fast-side-by-side-sometimes/) [Sharon E. Rainey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-e-rainey/) > [Develop The Grit To be great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barrett-brooks/develop-the-grit-to-be-great/) [Barrett Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barrett-brooks/) [Browse all 335 Grit quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grit/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Being gritty doesn't mean not showing pain or pretending everything is O.K. In fact, when you look at healthy and successful and giving people, they are extraordinarily meta-cognitive. They're able to say things like, 'Dude, I totally lost my temper this morning.' 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