Book Review: Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

Or: How Being Petty, Passionate, and Stubborn Still Wins

I’m not entirely sure why I bought this back in 2022.
With two established businesses and almost two decades of self-employment under my belt, I already knew damn well that grit was essential.

But after the pandemic left one of my businesses bleeding out on the pavement, I guess I needed a reminder.
A spark.
A reminder of what built me before everything burned.

The book opens with a story:
The author’s father tells her she’s not a genius.
Fast forward—she wins a f*cking MacArthur Genius Grant for proving that genius isn’t what predicts success at all.
Grit is.

Honestly?
That level of vindictive academic pettiness?
Elite behaviour. Immediate respect.

So I grabbed a fleece blanket, snacks, and fully committed to inhaling this book.

So, Was It Worth It?

I skimmed a few sections (sorry Angela), but overall?
It’s a solid, validating read.

If you’ve survived trauma, detours, disasters—or if life straight-up launched a tactical nuke at your five-year plan—you’ll probably find a lot of comfort here.

It reminds you that it was never about being naturally gifted.
It was about getting up. Again. And again. And again.

🖤 Spoon & Fire Rating:

🥄🥄 (Some emotional energy required, but manageable)
🔥🔥🔥🔥 (A four-alarm call to your inner stubborn bastard)

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The Weigh Back Spoon & Fire System

🥄🥄🥄🥄🥄 — Absolutely draining. Blanket fort mandatory. May trigger emotional hibernation.
🥄🥄🥄🥄 — Still heavy. Requires tea, tissues, and possibly rage cleaning.
🥄🥄🥄 — Some emotional tax. Manageable with snacks and pacing.
🥄🥄 — Low impact. You might even read it in one sitting.
🥄 — Minimal spoon loss. Surprisingly gentle.

👉 Fewer spoons = more accessible. More spoons = emotionally expensive.