Can you guess the one surprising factor that separates West Point cadets who finish the grueling “Beast Barracks” initiation from those who don’t? It’s not strength… speed… or smarts. It’s GRIT — aka the passion and perseverance to reach your long-term goals — and it’s a huge component of mental toughness and taking personal responsibility for your outcomes. And it can play a big role in helping YOU to reach your goals, too. Psychologists were interested in what led cadets to drop out during their West Point initiation, so they ran a study that spanned 9 different classes. Now to even get into West Point, you have to go through a long and demanding approval process that can take a couple of years… Including being nominated by a member of the U.S. Congress! Before classes start, the new cadets are put through “Beast Barracks” initiation. It’s tough — and it’s designed to push them to their limit, physically, emotionally, and mentally. And even though they’d already been through an intense process that tested their commitment to getting in… … about 3% of cadets usually end up QUITTING during Beast Barracks. Scientists developed a “grit scale” that measured this trait in the cadets. (The psychologist who came up with the scale has an online “grit” quiz here: https://angeladuckworth.com/grit-scale) They found that those who were just one standard deviation higher on the grit scale were 60% more likely to finish the Beast Barracks than their peers. But it turns out, “grit” isn’t only important for cadets: Grit (not IQ) plays a big role in both National Spelling Bee competitors and Ivy League students with high GPAs. They put in the work to make their goals come to life. “Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance.” – Samuel Johnson The best part? You have control over your perseverance. Let’s get after it, The Method3 Fitness Team If you’re someone who is looking to transform their health and fitness and struggling to do it alone, and you want to see if Method3's personal training and nutrition coaching program could help you achieve your goals call us today at (408)371-1212 to see exactly what the process looks like for you and if it’s the right fit for your goals! Our team of experienced and dedicated San Jose personal fitness trainers are ready to work with you to help you take control of your health and fitness journey and achieve the results you want. Method3 Fitness is conveniently located in San Jose. Our team of personal fitness trainers serve clients in Los Gatos, Campbell, Willow Glen and other surrounding Bay Area cities. If you found this blog useful, be sure to let us know and SHARE it on your favorite channel! The Method3 Fitness blog is updated weekly by our San Jose personal fitness trainers. All content is designed to improve the way you move, eat, and think so you can achieve your goals and live stronger for today. Check back here each week and LIKE our Fan Page, to stay up to date on the latest tips, strategies and methods to get active, gain energy and get healthy again!