Grit and Growth: Building Habits That Carry You Through Life’s Toughest Seasons

Think back to your teenage years. Awkward growth spurts. Voice cracks. That strange sense of not fully belonging in your own skin. For many of us, those years were some of the most uncomfortable—yet they were also years of tremendous growth.

Growth is at the heart of what it means to be alive. You’re either moving forward or slowly shrinking back. And yet, somewhere along the way, society sold us the idea of “slowing down”—retirement, coasting, waiting it out. Too many men step back, and before long, their energy, health, and even their sense of purpose fade away.

But here’s the truth: life doesn’t reward talent alone. Life rewards grit.

I was reminded of this at one of our men’s gatherings, where Joe Mwangi, a speaker with stories as real as scars, broke down grit in a way that stuck with me. He unpacked it as an acronym—G.R.I.T.: Growth, Resilience, Initiative, Truth.

This wasn’t a motivational poster moment. It was a challenge: if you want to build lasting habits and live with impact, grit isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Let me break it down.

Growth: Turning Failure Into Fuel

Joe started with the Growth Mindset — the idea popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck that our abilities aren’t fixed. They can be developed through effort, learning, and perseverance.

He told us about his many failures, each one loud and painful. I could feel the room shift. Every man there had tasted that bitterness: the deal that fell through, the exam we bombed, the business that never took off. Failure has a way of sticking in the gut.

Most of us, when we fail, take it personally. We spiral into shame or self-doubt. But the question isn’t whether you fail—it’s what you do next.

Do you give up? Or do you ask, "What went wrong?" "How can I improve?" "Who can help me see what I can’t see?"

That shift—from defeat to curiosity—is what growth looks like. It’s messy. It’s humbling. It requires mentors, coaches, and teammates who can spot our blind spots. But it’s the only way forward.

Takeaway: If you want better habits, don’t avoid failure—dissect it. Use it as raw material to grow. 

Resilience: Rising Slowly but Surely

Then came Resilience.

Joe asked, “Have you ever gone through something so painful that just thinking about it makes your head ache?” Every man nodded. We’ve all been there. Loss. Betrayal. Financial collapse.

Our instinct is fight, flight, or freeze. Too often, we freeze. We shut down. And when we do try to “bounce back,” we often do it from pride—rushing, forcing, pretending we’re okay.

But real resilience isn’t speed. It’s patience. It’s allowing yourself to feel the emotions—fear, anger, grief—without letting them define you. It’s taking time to rest, process, and then, step by step, choose not to stay down.

Adversity, Joe reminded us, is not the enemy. It’s the teacher. It chisels us into stronger, sharper men.

Takeaway: Don’t despise adversity. Sit with it, learn from it, and rise—not in haste, but in strength. 

Initiative: Stepping Up When It’s Hardest

Next, Joe moved to Initiative.

In hard times, many of us withdraw. We stop showing up. But growth demands the opposite. When you take initiative, you stop waiting for perfect conditions and start moving forward—even clumsily.

Think of the man trying to sell his product. No one’s buying. He feels like a failure. Most would retreat. But the man with grit asks, "What’s not working?" "Is my pitch off?" "Is my product too generic?" "Am I not engaging enough?"

Feedback, though it stings, is gold. It’s not a personal attack. It’s a mirror. Initiative is having the courage to look in that mirror and act.

Takeaway: Don’t fear feedback. Use it. Take initiative by owning your role in the process and making the changes needed to move forward.

Truth: Living Aligned With Who You Are

Finally, Joe brought it home with Truth.

Being true to yourself is harder than it sounds. Too often, we live to please, to fit in, to chase trends. We drown in noise and distraction.

But being true to yourself requires reflection. It means shutting down the screens, sitting with a notebook, and asking, "What do I truly value?" "What kind of man do I want to be?" "What legacy do I want to leave?"

When you know your truth, grit becomes possible. You’ll endure more, dare more, and keep going when others quit—because you’re aligned with something deeper than applause.

Takeaway: Clarity about your values gives you staying power. Know yourself, and you’ll find the grit to keep moving forward. 

Call to Action

Talent is a gift, but grit is a choice. It’s the stubborn strength to keep showing up — in your growth, your resilience, your initiative, and your truth.

The men who build lasting habits, meaningful lives, and enduring impact aren’t the most gifted. They’re the most committed.

So here’s my challenge to you: This week, pick one letter of G.R.I.T. to focus on.

• Reflect on a failure and find the growth lesson.
• Take one small resilient step after a setback.
• Ask for feedback and act on it.
• Switch off the noise and write down your values.

Do this, and you’ll not only build better habits—you’ll build a stronger, truer, grittier version of yourself.

Because in the end, grit isn’t just about surviving. It’s about becoming.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this blog! I'm Edwin Moindi, a Life and Habit Coach dedicated to helping people understand their habits, navigate their emotions, and cultivate emotional intelligence for a happier, more balanced life. I'd love to hear your thoughts—feel free to reach out and share your insights or questions!