#08: Kiss My Grit

Don't you just love reading anything by Hanna Rosin? I do. In an issue of Lenny Letter from last June, she describes the frustrations of starting out from scratch in a completely new role at the age of (wait for it) 40:

Giving up mastery involves a series of humiliations, some of which hit you when you think you're on solid ground.

Despite the challenge, Rosin makes a solid case for us to say, "screw mastery." When was the last time you improved at anything?

In working with startups, we're constantly conducting all sorts of tiny experiments to help us decide whether to pivot or persevere. UPenn psychologist and author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Angela Duckworth gives us three tips on why and how to stick it out over at the always enlightening 99U.

Structure and routine are cornerstones of habit-building. I've always loved the idea of the 100 Days project, originally established by eminent designer Michael Bierut, a partner at Pentagram and professor at the Yale School of Art. Artist Elle Luna took the project into a new direction, launching it on social media several years ago. It's since taken on an inspiring life of its own. What would you do for 100 days in a row?

I've always been curious about how people practice dangerous things, like tightrope walking or sword swallowing. I guess mostly circus stuff. Check out these fabulous Flying Frenchies, who are an aerialist band. Like, a drumset over the Grand Canyon whaaaaat???