Old School Grit

1. Create Your Destiny, Don't Accept Fate

YOU control your own destiny; nobody else does.

Personal responsibility. This principle emphasizes that individuals are not passive recipients of fate but active agents in shaping their lives. It rejects the notion that external forces or circumstances dictate one's path. Instead, it empowers individuals to take ownership of their choices and actions.

Overcoming obstacles. The book highlights that setbacks and challenges are inevitable parts of life. However, it's not the obstacles themselves that define us, but how we respond to them. Instead of making excuses or blaming others, we must accept responsibility for our reactions and learn from our experiences.

• Don't view failure as permanent
• See setbacks as opportunities to grow
• Focus on what you can control

Active creation. This takeaway encourages a proactive approach to life. It's not enough to simply hope for a better future; we must actively work towards it. This involves setting goals, making plans, and taking consistent action. It's about believing in your ability to shape your own reality.

2. Believe to Achieve: Confidence is Key

You have to believe in yourself because you’ll only accomplish what you believe you can.

Self-belief is foundational. This takeaway underscores the importance of self-confidence as a prerequisite for success. It suggests that our beliefs about our capabilities directly influence our actions and outcomes. If we don't believe in ourselves, we're unlikely to take the necessary steps to achieve our goals.

Belief shapes reality. The book argues that our results often mirror our beliefs. If we believe we're capable of achieving great things, we're more likely to act in ways that support that belief. Conversely, if we doubt ourselves, we're more likely to give up when faced with challenges.

• Your results follow your beliefs
• The best believe they're the best before they prove it
• Don't let past setbacks define your future

Cultivating confidence. This takeaway encourages us to actively cultivate self-belief. This can involve setting small, achievable goals, celebrating our successes, and challenging our negative self-talk. It's about building a positive self-image and recognizing our own potential.

3. Embrace Pressure, Don't Avoid It

The pressure makes us play better.

Pressure as opportunity. This principle challenges the common tendency to avoid pressure and stress. Instead, it encourages us to view pressure as an opportunity for growth and development. It suggests that high-stakes situations can bring out the best in us.

Rising to the occasion. The book highlights that the most successful individuals are those who thrive under pressure. They don't shy away from challenges; they embrace them. They see pressure as a chance to demonstrate their strength and resilience.

• Pressure makes you stronger
• Prepare for high-pressure situations
• View pressure as a positive event

Mental fortitude. This takeaway emphasizes the importance of mental toughness in handling pressure. It suggests that we can train ourselves to remain calm and focused in stressful situations. This involves developing a positive mindset and learning to manage our emotions.

4. Finish Strong: The Power of Perseverance

Anybody can start strong, but champions finish strong!

Endurance matters. This takeaway emphasizes that success is not just about starting well, but about finishing strong. It suggests that the ability to persevere through challenges and setbacks is crucial for achieving long-term goals.

Breakthrough moments. The book highlights that the most difficult moments often precede breakthroughs. It suggests that when we feel like giving up, we may be on the verge of a major victory. This encourages us to push through adversity and never lose sight of our goals.

• Things are often toughest right before a breakthrough
• Stay gritty when things get hard
• Expect challenges before victory

Resilience is key. This takeaway underscores the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. It suggests that setbacks are inevitable, but they don't have to define us. We must learn to bounce back from failures and keep moving forward.

5. Passion Fuels Grit: Love What You Do

Find what you love to do and find a way to make a living doing it. If you can do that, you’ll never work a day in your life.

Passion as a driver. This principle emphasizes the importance of passion in achieving success and fulfillment. It suggests that when we're passionate about what we do, we're more likely to persevere through challenges and setbacks.

Work as a calling. The book encourages us to view our work as a calling rather than just a job. It suggests that when we're aligned with our passions, our work becomes more meaningful and enjoyable. This can lead to greater levels of motivation and productivity.

• Follow your heart
• Don't be afraid to pursue your passion
• Passion makes work feel like a calling

Inner confidence. This takeaway highlights that passion provides an inner confidence that fuels our efforts. When we're passionate about something, we're more likely to believe in ourselves and our ability to succeed. This can help us overcome obstacles and achieve our goals.

6. Keep Moving Forward: Never Settle

The second you think you’ve arrived, someone passes you by. You have to always be in pursuit.

Continuous improvement. This takeaway emphasizes the importance of continuous growth and development. It suggests that we should never become complacent or settle for mediocrity. Instead, we should always be striving to improve ourselves and our skills.

Progress over perfection. The book highlights that progress is more important than perfection. It suggests that we should focus on making small, consistent improvements rather than trying to achieve everything at once. This can help us avoid feeling overwhelmed and maintain momentum.

• Ignore the naysayers
• Never back down
• Always ask "What's next?"

Forward momentum. This takeaway encourages us to maintain a forward-thinking mindset. It suggests that we should always be looking for new challenges and opportunities to grow. This can help us stay motivated and engaged in our pursuits.

7. Selflessness Energizes: The Power of Sacrifice

It’s amazing what a man can achieve when he takes the attention off of helping himself and focuses it on helping others.

Shifting focus. This principle emphasizes the transformative power of selflessness. It suggests that when we shift our focus from our own needs to the needs of others, we can experience a renewed sense of energy and purpose.

Serving others. The book highlights that serving others can be a powerful source of motivation. It suggests that when we're working for a cause greater than ourselves, we're more likely to persevere through challenges and setbacks.

• Stop focusing on yourself
• Focus on what you can do for others
• The greatest joy comes from helping others

Renewed energy. This takeaway underscores that selflessness can be a powerful antidote to feelings of fatigue and discouragement. It suggests that when we focus on helping others, we can tap into a reserve of energy and enthusiasm that we didn't know we had.

8. Live for a Purpose Greater Than Yourself

A person does not become whole until he or she becomes a part of something bigger than himself or herself.

Meaning and purpose. This takeaway emphasizes the importance of having a sense of purpose in life. It suggests that when we're working towards something that's bigger than ourselves, we're more likely to experience fulfillment and satisfaction.

Driving force. The book highlights that a purpose greater than ourselves can be a powerful driving force. It suggests that when we have a compelling reason for doing what we do, we're more likely to persevere through challenges and setbacks.

• A paycheck isn't a good enough reason
• Personal glory isn't a good enough reason
• Live for a calling, not just a career

Spiritual connection. This takeaway suggests that our purpose can be rooted in our spiritual beliefs. It suggests that when we believe we're honoring God through our actions, we're more likely to experience a sense of meaning and purpose.

9. Eliminate Negativity: Protect Your Mindset

The attitude a person develops is the most important ingredient in determining the level of success.

Attitude is contagious. This principle emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive attitude. It suggests that our attitude can have a significant impact on our own well-being and the well-being of those around us.

Negative influences. The book highlights the importance of eliminating negative influences from our lives. This can include negative self-talk, toxic relationships, and unhealthy habits. It suggests that we must be proactive in protecting our mindset.

• Monitor your self-talk
• Cut out toxic influences
• Attitude is a choice

Positive self-talk. This takeaway underscores the importance of positive self-talk. It suggests that what we say to ourselves can have a powerful impact on our beliefs and actions. We must learn to challenge our negative thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations.

10. Effort Trumps Talent: Hard Work Wins

In the long run, effort and perseverance always trump talent.

Hard work is essential. This takeaway emphasizes that talent alone is not enough for success. It suggests that hard work, dedication, and perseverance are essential for achieving our goals.

Developing talent. The book highlights that talent is not a fixed trait but something that can be developed through effort and practice. It suggests that we can improve our skills and abilities through consistent hard work.

• Talent is not set in stone
• Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard
• The more aggressive team usually wins

Overcoming limitations. This takeaway underscores that effort can overcome limitations. It suggests that even if we don't have natural talent in a particular area, we can still achieve success through hard work and dedication.

11. Control the Controllable: Focus Your Energy

You have to stay focused. You have to concentrate on only what you can control: your effort and your attitude.

Focus on what matters. This principle emphasizes the importance of focusing our energy on things we can control. It suggests that worrying about things we can't control is a waste of time and energy.

Events vs. Responses. The book introduces the equation E + R = O, where E represents events, R represents responses, and O represents outcomes. It suggests that while we can't control events, we can control our responses, which ultimately determine our outcomes.

• Don't focus on things you can't control
• Focus on your responses
• Your actions follow your thoughts

Disciplined thinking. This takeaway underscores the importance of disciplined thinking. It suggests that we must be intentional about the thoughts we choose to focus on. This can help us avoid distractions and stay on track towards our goals.

12. Don't Waste a Day: Every Moment Matters

Don’t waste a day.

Daily progress. This takeaway emphasizes the importance of making progress every day. It suggests that small, consistent efforts can lead to significant results over time.

Daily habits. The book highlights that our daily habits determine our long-term outcomes. It suggests that we must be intentional about how we spend our time and energy.

• Every day is an opportunity
• Don't waste a moment
• True competition is with yourself

Long-term vision. This takeaway encourages us to maintain a long-term perspective. It suggests that our daily efforts should be aligned with our long-term goals. This can help us stay motivated and focused on what truly matters.

Last updated: January 15, 2025