We all know the adjective ‘gritty’ (no, not the Philadelphia Flyer’s mascot). It’s that seemingly indefinable stick-to-it-iveness that marks high achievers. In Grit, psychologist Angela Duckworth not only defines grit, but measures it, sharing the results with her readers.

In the early chapters, Duckworth defines some key terms. Talent is “how quickly your skills improve when you invest effort.” Achievement is “what happens when you take your acquired skills and use them.” With those definitions in mind, consider the following equations:

• Talent x effort = skill
• Skill x effort = achievement

The key here is the repetition of effort. People who multiply their talent by effort develop skill, and people who multiply their skill by effort become high achievers. Effort counts twice.

Grit is not something you can just generate out of thin air, but if you’re looking to understand your grit level, Duckworth has an assessment tool for that. She concludes her book by suggesting some tentative ways to develop grit, or for the parents, to see your child grow in grit.

If you’re looking for a scientifically-oriented self-help book that makes sense of the world of talent and achievement, Grit is worth reading.

Duckworth, Angela. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Scribner, 2016. Epub.