Leading with GRIT: Inspiring Action and Accountability with Generosity, Respect, Integrity, and Truth

Chapter 12Enjoy the Journey

If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish.

—Sam Walton

When we fully embrace GRIT^®, we become authentic and free—not so easily affected by others' negativity. We accept the reality of life, and we look at it more positively. We believe in ourselves, and we believe that life is something we have a right to enjoy. We're not supposed to be suffering. We realize that we are responsible for what we've created, or at least we play a part in it. We can choose at any moment to be positive and happy. At home, at work, in our social lives—we can enjoy it all. It doesn't mean that stuff doesn't happen. But we know we can make the best choices for ourselves, and when stuff does happen, we deal with it. We choose to continue to be happy while dealing with it.

We accept where we are today, while striving to grow and continuously improve. We are able to look at ourselves and others with new eyes every day because we respect that we are all changing and growing. To improve doesn't mean anything was wrong with us to begin with. Sometimes people think if they are looking to change or improve, it must be because they aren't okay the way they are. For example I've met with executives who initially resisted training because they didn't want the team to get the message that they are broken and need fixing.

If we look at the happiest, most successful people and companies, they're those that have a positive attitude about continuously improving. ...