Lisa Laporte, CEO in Petaluma, on Improving Your Grit

Grit is important if you’re going to succeed in business, but what exactly is grit? Essentially, it’s the strength of mind and clarity of thought that enables you to develop a strategy and see it through to help you arrive at your goals. This kind of mental strength gives you the ability to persevere, regardless of what obstacles may stand in your way. Possessing mental strength increases your chances for success, opening up more opportunities along the way. So, how does one build up their grit and truly succeed in business?

Define what grit means to you

While we established that grit is synonymous with mental strength, that still leaves the definition open to interpretation. In real world situations, only you can determine what it means to possess that kind of toughness in your life. Perhaps it means going a full year with no absences from work. Maybe it also means completing work assignments early, so you can prove you’re efficient. In your personal life, it may even mean staying in touch with old friends and offering your emotional support. Maybe you view it as more of an idea, that just helps you work toward excelling in all areas of your life. Grit can mean simply standing strong in the face of adversary.

Boosting your grit

Now that you have defined what grit means to you, it’s important to start using it. The more you apply it to your daily situations, the more likely you are to use it in more situations and truly succeed. As with any muscle, the mind grows stronger with frequent use. When you push yourself to go that extra mile, to do that extra push-up, or to take on that extra job assignment, you’re both exercising your grit and growing it.

Turn grit into a habit

Over time, you’ll learn that pushing yourself should be a habit in itself. You’ll no longer want for motivation and inspiration. Instead, you’ll jump into the fray and do what needs to be done, because you’ll recognize that you can do it and succeed. You’ll recognize that determination and willingness are far more important than talent and courage.

As with anything, practice makes perfect and your mental strength will be enhanced through your actions. As you focus on growing your grit, you’ll find you’re better prepared to tackle new challenges and this will prepare you for the world of business. If you can remember that using your grit and building it stem from the same actions, you’ll soon find that your mental strength is limitless.

About the Author

Lisa Laporte is a professional located in the Petaluma, CA area. She currently works as the CEO of both Artisanal Agency and TWiT.tv. Lisa Laporte has extensive experience in various areas of business; for many years, she oversaw a successful consulting agency where she worked with businesses to improve their operations and financial management. Lisa Laporte has experience in accounting, business management, sales, marketing, and advertising. When not focusing on improving her businesses, Lisa enjoys traveling with her family and improving her photography skills.