“ It always seems impossible until it’s done”
In a world where mainstream media and online influencers often define success, finding genuine examples of individuals documenting their long-term pursuit of goals is rare. Many people believe that success hinges on talent, money, or genetics. However, grit is vividly demonstrated by several YouTube channels to be the key factor to achieving long term goals. Here we consider the stories of Riley and Elayna from Sailing La Vagabonde, Ashley and Ben from Sailing Nahoa, the Whitaker family from Sailing Zatara, and Strick and Fran from B2B Castaways. These individuals began with no experience or skills in their respective fields, but through immense effort and a small amount of talent, they built lives they love. Their journeys and the success of their YouTube channels are powerful testaments to how grit can lead to remarkable achievements.
Angela Duckworth, author of “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” posed a compelling question: “Why do some people succeed and others fail?” Her research revealed that the secret to success lies not in talent alone but in a set of behaviours. Duckworth’s findings show that effort, rather than talent, plays a crucial role in achieving success. If talent is worth a value of 1 and effort a value of 2, then base-level talent multiplied by effort equals skill, and skill multiplied by effort equals achievement. This liberating realization indicates that we can achieve great things with sustained effort, even without inherent talent.
Understanding Grit
Recognising that grit can override talent is empowering. Anyone can achieve significant milestones within their limitations with dedicated effort. While being gritty is challenging and entails facing substantial obstacles and failures, Angela Duckworth’s research shows that we can grow our grit in four distinct ways:
1. Developing a fascination
2. Striving to improve each day
3. Reminding ourselves of the greater purpose
4. Cultivating a growth mindset.
Adventure and travel creators on YouTube provide some of the best examples of ordinary people embracing and developing grit. Below, we outline how these channels have faced significant challenges, developed grit, and achieved their goals.
Develop a Fascination
Developing a fascination is about finding a passion that ignites the process of developing grit. Jack Strickland, or “Strick,” from the YouTube channels B2B Castaways and B2B Adventures, is a great example. During his university days, instead of going out at night, Strick and his best mate Az spent time fishing and exploring the islands and coastline. This fascination with the natural world and the thrill of discovery led to the creation of B2B Adventures, a popular YouTube channel documenting their fishing and camping exploits. Strick’s curiosity and passion for fishing, boating, and the great outdoors fueled his commitment to his craft.
This fascination wasn’t merely a hobby; it became a driving force in Strick’s life. He was born in Papua New Guinea and raised in the Solomon Islands, experiences that deepened his love for the ocean and adventure. Even after returning to Australia for high school and pursuing a degree in engineering, his heart remained with his outdoor pursuits. Despite societal expectations to follow a conventional career path, Strick chose to follow his passion. The decision to prioritize his love for nature and adventure over a traditional career was not easy, but it was fueled by a genuine fascination. His relentless pursuit of this passion, combined with a dedication to learning and improving his skills, allowed him to turn his interests into a successful career. Strick’s journey underscores the power of finding and nurturing a fascination, demonstrating that true passion can drive sustained effort and lead to extraordinary achievements
Strive to Improve Each Day
Consistent improvement is another key ingredient of grit. Riley and Elayna from Sailing La Vagabonde started their journey with no sailing experience. Riley bought a sailboat despite never having sailed before, and Elayna joined him with no prior sailing knowledge. Their early days were filled with challenges, from understanding the basics of navigation to managing the daily maintenance of a sailboat. They faced numerous obstacles, such as mechanical failures and harsh weather conditions, but they remained undeterred. Over time, they improved their sailing skills by learning from others, reading extensively, and practicing relentlessly. They sought advice from seasoned sailors, watched countless instructional videos, and read books on seamanship and sailing techniques.
Their willingness to learn and adapt was crucial. They also meticulously documented their progress, reflecting on their mistakes and celebrating their successes. Their YouTube channel, now a huge success, is a testament to their persistence and dedication to improving every day. It showcases not only their adventures but also their growth as sailors and content creators. Their journey inspires others to embrace the process of continuous improvement, demonstrating that with dedication and hard work, significant progress is possible, regardless of the starting point.
Reminding Yourself of the Greater Purpose
Having a sense of purpose is a significant contributor to grit. Keith and Renee Whitaker from Sailing Zatara exemplify this principle. Initially, they were caught in the cycle of chasing dollars and accumulating material wealth, believing that financial success would lead to happiness. However, they soon realized that despite achieving their financial goals, they felt unfulfilled and disconnected from what truly mattered to them. This realization prompted a profound shift in their priorities. They redefined their purpose, focusing instead on cultivating meaningful relationships and exploring the world with their family.
This new sense of purpose gave them the grit needed to pursue and maintain their lifestyle on the open ocean. Embracing this purpose meant making significant lifestyle changes, including selling their possessions and investing in a sailboat to travel the world. The transition was not without challenges. They faced the daunting task of learning to sail, managing life on a boat, and home schooling their children in unconventional settings. However, their commitment to their greater purpose provided the resilience and determination to overcome these obstacles. The Whitakers’ journey is a testament to how a clear, purposeful goal can fuel perseverance and grit. Their story inspires others to look beyond conventional measures of success and find deeper meaning in their pursuits, demonstrating that a well-defined purpose can drive sustained effort and lead to a fulfilling and adventurous life.
Cultivating a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset, coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, is the belief that abilities, talents, and intelligence can be developed through dedication, effort, and a willingness to learn. Ben and Ashley from Sailing Nahoa adopted this mindset early on, realizing that to make their life on the water more permanent, they needed to cultivate a wide range of new skills. Initially, they had little experience with sailing or living on a boat, but their belief in their ability to learn and grow was the foundation of their journey. They embraced every opportunity to expand their knowledge, whether it was through hands-on practice, online courses, or seeking advice from experienced sailors.
By believing in and adopting a growth mindset, Ben and Ashley faced each challenge with resilience. They encountered numerous obstacles, from technical issues with their boat to navigating through treacherous waters and adapting to the unpredictable nature of life at sea. Each setback was seen not as a failure but as a learning experience. They documented these experiences on their YouTube channel, sharing both their struggles and triumphs. This transparency resonated with their audience, who saw their genuine efforts and growth over time.
Their commitment to continuous improvement didn’t stop at sailing. They also honed their skills in videography and storytelling to create compelling content for their channel. This dedication to learning and improvement paid off, as their YouTube channel grew in popularity and began to support their lifestyle financially. Ben and Ashley’s journey is a powerful example of how cultivating a growth mindset can lead to extraordinary achievements. Their story encourages others to embrace challenges, persist through difficulties, and believe in their potential to grow and succeed. By consistently applying the principles of a growth mindset, they transformed their dream into reality, demonstrating that with effort and determination, anyone can develop the skills needed to achieve their goals.
Why We Should Look to YouTubers for Real-Time Documentation of Developing Perseverance and Grit
YouTube channels provide unique and powerful insights into the development of perseverance and grit. Creators share their journeys in an unfiltered manner, revealing the real struggles, setbacks, and triumphs they encounter while pursuing their goals. This authenticity makes their content both relatable and inspiring, as viewers witness the genuine process of building perseverance and grit. The visual and emotional impact of YouTube content allows viewers to see first hand the determination and resilience needed to achieve long-term goals, making it more impactful than written or spoken accounts alone. Additionally, YouTube’s platform enables real-time engagement, fostering a sense of community and collective motivation through immediate interaction between creators and their audience.
How to Cultivate Grit: Insights from YouTube Channels
Cultivating grit involves developing a combination of passion and perseverance to achieve long-term goals, a concept thoroughly explored through various YouTube channels that document real-time journeys of overcoming challenges. Channels like Sailing Nahoa, Sailing Zatara, and SV Delos offer powerful examples of how grit can be developed through continuous effort and resilience. Here are key strategies for cultivating grit, inspired by these channels:
- Set Long-Term Goals:
- Define clear, long-term goals that ignite your passion. The featured YouTube channels show individuals and families embarking on extensive adventures, like circumnavigating the globe or living off-grid. Setting such ambitious goals provides a sense of direction and purpose, essential components of grit.
- Embrace Challenges and Failure:
- Embrace the inevitable challenges and failures as part of the journey. These YouTubers often encounter setbacks, whether it’s dealing with mechanical failures, severe weather, or personal conflicts. Viewing these obstacles as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable barriers fosters resilience.
- Maintain Consistent Effort:
- Consistency is key to developing grit. The success stories on these channels highlight the importance of daily, persistent effort towards achieving their dreams. Whether it’s regular maintenance on a sailboat, continuous learning, or adapting to new environments, consistent effort builds stamina and commitment.
- Adopt a Growth Mindset:
- Believing that abilities can be developed through effort is crucial. Inspired by the concept of a growth mindset, these YouTubers demonstrate that perseverance is not about innate talent but about the willingness to learn and improve continuously. This mindset encourages persistence even when progress seems slow.
- Build a Supportive Community:
- Engage with a supportive community that shares your goals and values. The engagement seen in the comments and interactions on these YouTube channels illustrates the power of community support in sustaining motivation and providing encouragement during tough times.
- Reflect and Learn from Experiences:
- Regularly reflect on your experiences and learn from both successes and failures. The creators often share their reflections on what worked, what didn’t, and how they plan to move forward. This practice of reflection helps in refining strategies and maintaining focus on long-term objectives.
- Stay Inspired by Role Models:
- Follow and learn from role models who exhibit grit. Watching these YouTubers face and overcome their challenges can provide practical examples and inspiration. Their stories show that grit is about sustained effort and passion, reinforcing the belief that long-term success is achievable through perseverance.
For a curated selection of content that demonstrates the philosophy of grit and perseverance, visit Asirika. At Asirika, we highlight YouTube channels and stories that embody these principles, providing diverse perspectives and practical strategies to help you cultivate grit in your own life. Discover content that will inspire you to pursue your long-term goals with passion and resilience.
“Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.”
The Importance of Cultivating These Traits to Have Grit
Cultivating grit is essential for both personal growth and societal impact. Perseverance, passion, and grit contribute significantly to personal development and well-being, enabling individuals to achieve long-term goals, experience higher life satisfaction, and develop a strong sense of self-efficacy. The “growth mindset” concept by Carol Dweck underscores the importance of understanding that abilities can be developed through effort and learning, fostering persistence through challenges and leading to greater personal achievement. On a broader scale, these traits enhance societal outcomes by creating resilient, capable individuals who contribute positively to their communities. Studies have shown that grit predicts success in demanding environments like military training, public schools, and competitive industries, thereby improving educational outcomes, reducing dropout rates, and boosting workforce productivity. Furthermore, sharing stories of perseverance and passion can inspire others and build a supportive community focused on growth and resilience, encouraging a collective sense of determination and encouragement.
Embracing the journey: cultivatng grit through real life examples
Reflecting on the journeys of YouTube creators who started with no prior experience or skills, we see how unease with their current situations, combined with a small amount of talent, immense effort, and a capacity to learn, can lead to remarkable success. These ordinary individuals exemplify how passion and perseverance can drive personal and professional growth.
As we’ve discussed, cultivating grit is essential for achieving long-term goals and experiencing higher levels of life satisfaction. By embracing challenges, maintaining consistent effort, and adopting a growth mindset, anyone can develop the resilience needed to succeed. These YouTube channels offer real-time, authentic examples of how grit can be nurtured and applied in various aspects of life.
We invite you to reflect on your experiences and think about how you can incorporate these lessons into your own journey. Share your stories, engage with like-minded individuals, and draw inspiration from the curated content available on Asirika. Remember, success is a marathon, not a sprint, and every step forward, no matter how small, is a victory in itself.
In the words of Winston Churchill, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” Let this message guide you as you cultivate your grit and strive towards your long-term goals with passion and resilience.
