Every now and then I choose a word to guide me through the next few months of life.

I choose a word that offers inspiration, a word that resonates with what I’m trying to achieve. This month my word is Gumption.

I love the word gumption not just because it originates from 18th century Scotland, and I was born there, but also because of what it means. The dictionary definition states that a person with gumption is shrewd, spirited and resourceful.

I believe everyone has a dose of gumption. Some of us just need a bit of help finding and owning our gumption and letting it surface in our life. Many of our teenage children need our guidance to help them realise that they too have a good dose of gumption.

There are many qualities one needs to be successful in life and new reports are being written every day. I would like to share with you the latest findings by Angela Lee Duckworth of the University of Pennsylvania, Psychology Department. She has analysed successful people of all ages, from different walks of life to underpin what makes them successful. The study results show that all successful people share one critical thing – she calls it grit – I call it gumption! Here are a few examples of how people with gumption think, talk and behave:

1    They freely make mistakes and try again and again.

2    They don’t worry about what other people think.

3    They laugh at themselves.

4    Their mantra is: ‘every master was once a disaster’

5    They keep going even when exhausted.

6    They do the things they don’t want to do.

7    They manage their moods and emotions, keeping negativity at bay.

8    They trust their gut instinct.

9    They give more than they expect in return.

10  They understand the importance of delayed gratification.

11  They lead even when no one is willing to follow.

12  They focus on the job at hand.

13  They take responsibility for their actions and outcomes.

14  They don’t quit.

If we all make a choice to do one of these things every day, we can build up our own gumption and take on everything life throws our way!

What do you think gives a person gumption? Share with us in the comments.

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