During challenging and uncertain times, many of the goals we previously set can become no longer attainable, either temporarily or indefinitely, which has a negative impact on our well-being [1]. For example, for many people during the COVID-19 pandemic, educational goals were impacted due to struggles with online learning, relationship goals due to social distancing restrictions, and career/financial goals due to loss of work, reduced hours, or reduced opportunities. Notably, one survey showed that 71% of college students reported that their stress and anxiety levels increased during the pandemic because they were worried about not being able to meet their goals, be it academic, work, or financial [1]. Experiencing blocked goals is harmful, given that goals can provide individuals with a purpose for living, a sense of identity, and well-being [4]. How can individuals become resilient and maintain their well-being when facing these obstacles? In her best-selling book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” Dr. Angela Duckworth, a psychology researcher and professor, suggests that grit enables individuals to overcome setbacks and succeed. When Dr. Duckworth worked as a math teacher for seventh graders in a New York public school, she noticed that IQ was not the only difference between her best and worst students [2]. Grit also differentiated the students who did well and those who did not. According to Dr. Duckworth, when people are gritty, they are passionate and perseverant in the face of obstacles towards their goals. As Dr. Duckworth eventually changed profession to become a psychology researcher, she consistently found, in various contexts, that grit enabled individuals to overcome challenges and become successful in what they do. While we may not be able to overcome all our challenges, developing grit can help us experience greater well-being, become resilient, and overcome setbacks [3, 6, 7]. 
Gritty people have two main qualities that distinguish them [5]. Gritty people show perseverance of effort, meaning that they are hard-working and determined to accomplish a goal despite the presence of various obstacles. They also show consistency of interests and stay committed to their interests and goals over time. These two facets of grit are measured using the Grit Scale [5]. Studies showed that gritty people experience greater well-being, happiness, positive affect, and life satisfaction [3]. Furthermore, gritty people are more likely to be resilient when dealing with stressful situations. In other words, they are less discouraged after failure, less vulnerable to stress, and can overcome hardship. Indeed, college students who are gritty – as assessed using the Grit Scale – reported greater resilience and well-being and less psychological and academic harm during the COVID-19 pandemic [6]. Therefore, we may find strength by building our grit when we struggle to cope with various challenges. 
In addition, there is another part of grit, which is the passion for long-term goals. This passion is important when facing challenges since persistence alone may not be enough to overcome setbacks. In one study, researchers interviewed top college students to discover the secret of their academic success. Through qualitative analyses of the interviews, the researchers found that successful students were extremely gritty and did not let stressful life events consume their studies [7]. These gritty students were more likely to overcome challenges and obstacles to their goals because they were passionate and strongly identified with their long-term goals [7]. Therefore, as we develop our passion for a long-term goal, we become determined to strive for our goal no matter what comes our way.
To conclude, when we are having difficulty overcoming life’s challenges, the reason could be a lack of grit. This means that each person should strive to develop grit. Fortunately, grit can be modified and grow, for instance, by striving for long-term goals consistent with one’s authentic self [8]. If individuals build their grit, they will likely experience greater well-being, become more resilient, and be better able to overcome obstacles [3, 6, 7]. Of course, even if people improve their grit, they may still face mental health challenges following stressful situations. Yet, we should not underestimate how important grit is. As Dr. Duckworth said, “Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint” [2]. ​