Grit – a book report and a funny story

Grit, The Power of Passion and Perseverance is the title of a book by Angela Duckworth.

It’s an enjoyable and motivating book. In the book Duckworth tells how she researched why and how some people were more successful than others. It was required reading for parents of my daughters’ school in the summer of 2016.

Required Reading for overachievers

So, not really required because how do you require parents to read it? But the headmaster sent out an email requesting that we read it and I’m pretty sure that 95% of us did it because we are a bunch of overachievers.

The summer of 2016 was also the summer I raced Ironman Boulder. I read it while I’m recovering from Ironman Boulder. You can read about my Ironman Boulder race here. But long story short I messed up my hydration on the bike and ended up walking a lot of the run. Looking back on the experience I had no business being out there on the run course. But I did finish the race. Yes, I did.

Back to the book report … where were we…oh yes,  I’m off my feet recovering from the race and reading Grit.

I have a personality quirk that whatever I’m reading I accept as gospel. I immediately try to apply it to myself and my family. For this reason, it’s important that I never step foot inside a Scientology building. Also why I never accept free hotel stays that make me sit through a presentation for a timeshare.

When I read Born to Run I tried to make pinole, ate chia seeds and I bought myself and my kids natural running shoes. When I read the Paleo whatever it was called … I put my whole house on the paleo diet. When I watched Fat Sick and Nearly dead I nearly died trying to do a juice fast while Ironman training. You get the idea. I’m easily influenced.

More Grit, Please

So, I’m reading Grit and I’m inspired and learning a lot.

I’m in the kitchen blabbing away about this great book and how we need more grit. I need more grit. You need more grit. The kids need more grit.

Then I finally pause to take a breath. I look up from whatever nonsense I’m doing and see my husband is staring at me with his eyes bugged and his jaw is hanging down toward the ground.

I pause and he picks up his jaw and says, “Can I see this book, please?”

I trot off to go get the book. I’m probably still yapping away about needing more grit. Grit is great. Grit is important to overcome obstacles when he raises his hand to stops me talking and says.

“Amy … a week ago you pushed yourself till you looked like death after the Ironman bike ride. You should have stopped but instead you slogged through an entire marathon. You have enough grit. You don’t need any more grit. The kids don’t need any more grit!”

And that was the end of my reading that book – because he wouldn’t let me have it back. He may have thrown it away because I can’t even find it to offer to give it away.

Grit is a good book and the lessons are solid. I just think this is a funny story about reading it in my house. I don’t have a photo of my daughter but she’s plenty gritty. Two years ago she had a cough for a month during which time I kept taking her to swimming and it turned out that was pneumonia. Oopsie. She’ll never let me live that down. In my defense the pneumonologist did say she didn’t “present normally. Yes, I am accepting nominations for mother of the year. Also yes – I’m kidding.

The links here to Amazon are regular links – not affiliate or anything. Just to help you easily find the book if you want it.

What is the last thing you read?