The Secret to Success

 Hazel McCallion has a lot to contribute when it comes to being successful in work and life. It is very clear in her book that she loved her job, the career path that God chose for her to do, which allowed her to have a major impact on the many lives she touched.  Hazel worked hard; she was passionate about her work, loved a challenge and did hard things.  But there were also times where she failed, but in her failures she was able to overcome and move ahead to make things better.  (Hurricane Hazel, Copyright @2014, By Hazel McCallion and Robert Bethlehem, Published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, First Edition)

Recently I came across a video called "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance."  The speaker Angela Lee Duckworth explains that success does not just come by social intelligence, good looks, physical health and IQ, but grit also plays an important part in being successful.  By demonstrating passion and perseverance, having the stamina to set long term goals, sticking with the plan, not just day in and day out or monthly, but years of commitment and working hard makes dreams a reality.  C.S Lewis said, "You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream."

It seems that employers today are looking for the same attributes as the employers of the past.  Employees who are honest, willing to work hard, committed to being on time, loyal, these were and are the very basic attributes. But "grit: passion and perseverance" seem to be the new front runners. We need both the "intellectual" and the "grit" in the world of work.  It is easy to measure intelligence, but how do we build "grit" in the lives of people so that everybody has the opportunity to use their giftedness, being passionate in whatever career they choose.

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