21 Day Grit and Growth Mindset Challenge: Days 1-10

The ABA Commission on Women in the Profession created the Grit and Growth Mindset Project “to educate women lawyers about the science behind grit and growth mindset – two important traits many successful women lawyers have in common.”

The 21-Day Grit and Growth Mindset Challenge was created to help you develop and enhance your grit and growth mindset by consistently engaging in short, daily challenges: reading thought-provoking articles, watching videos, reviewing case studies, and taking concrete, habit-forming actions. Do them independently or form a Grit Group to unpack the challenges and learnings together. Throughout the challenge and afterward, the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession’s Grit and Growth Mindset Project Toolkit is available for further resources and opportunities to engage and further build your grit and growth mindset muscles. Questions? Email Program the Commission.

 Pre-Work

Assess your grit. (1 minute) 

Use the grit scale questions developed by Dr. Angela Duckworth to assess your grit. There are no right or wrong answers, just answer honestly, considering how you compare to most people. At the end, you’ll get a score that reflects how passionate and persevering you see yourself to be before diving into the Grit and Growth Mindset Project.

― Day 1 ―

Watch Angela Duckworth's TED Talk (6 minutes): 

Angela Duckworth is the originator of grit. This TED talk explains her theory of “grit” as a predictor of success.

― Day 2 ―

Listen to Brene Brown's Podcast Episode: "Unlocking Us- Brene on Day 2" (30 minutes)

Bonus: Also listen to Brene's podcast with Emily and Amelia Nagoski: "Burnout and How to Complete the Stress Cycle"  (1 hour)

Though not directly about grit, this podcast discusses the importance of sticking through the hard parts, with tips on how to do so. The bonus podcast discusses what causes burnout, what it does to our bodies, and how we can move through the emotional exhaustion.

― Day 3 ―

Read Milana Hogan and Katie Larkin Wong's piece in the Women's Law Journal: "Grit & Mindset: Implications for Women Lawyers"  
(15 minute read)

Based on a panel discussion at NAWL’s 2013 Annual Conference, “Dust Yourself Off and Keep on Going: Improving Your Grit & Mindset to Overcome the Challenges that Women Face in the Practice of Law,” this article focuses on Milana Hogan’s research into two traits, grit and mindset, and their correlation with women’s success in the law.

― Day 4 ―

Read Carol Dweck's blog: "A Summary of Growth and Fixed Mindsets"  (7 minute read)

Bonus: Learn more about Carol Dweck's Growth Mindset (2 minutes)

―or―

Bonus: Watch Carol Dweck's TED Talk: "The Power of believing that you can improve" (10 minutes)

Carol Dweck researches “growth mindset” — the idea that we can grow our brain’s capacity to learn and to solve problems. This talk describes two ways to think about a problem that’s slightly too hard for you to solve.

― Day 5 ―

Listen to Judith Heumann’s TED Talk: “Our fight for disability rights and why we’re not done yet” (20 minutes)

―AND―

Her Simple Things Count Episode:  "Judy Heumann: Disability is a strength” (2 minutes)

These videos provide a case study of growth mindset, resilience, and grit. Judith Heumann has been involved on the international front working with disabled people’s organizations and governments around the world to advance the human rights of disabled people.

― Day 6―

Listen to Carson Bylow’s TEDxYouth@AASSofia talk: “The Mindset of a Champion” (6 minutes)

Carson Bylow was in 5th Grade when he recorded this video. He wrote his talk about growth and fixed mindsets and shared his struggle - and precocious wisdom.

― Day 7―

Listen to Shannon Huffman Polson’s Episode on the HBR IdeaCast podcast: “To Build Grit, Go Back to Basics."  (27 minutes)

Shannon Huffman Polson coaches people on developing grit in their careers and workplaces. Like building a muscle, the process begins with recognizing your story and understanding your core purpose. Polson explains how it is possible to strengthen this skill, even during the stress and strain of severe challenges - like a pandemic. 

― Day 8 ―

Read about Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman’s Shine Theory. 
(1 minute read)

Shine Theory is an investment, over the long term, in helping someone be their best self—and relying on their help in return. Not directly about grit, this focuses on lifting each other up and providing support to one another - which fuels grit and growth mindset.

― Day 9 ―

Read this NYT Article: “What We Can Learn From Endurance Athletes About Getting Through This Pandemic” by Brad Stulberg
(7 minute read)

This article highlights why rest is such an important aspect to being effective, resilient, gritty. 

― Day 10 ―

Listen to Alison Levine’s TED Talk: “Lessons from the ledge.”
(18 minutes)

Alison Levine served as the team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition. Her TED Talk focuses on the grit of leading this all women Mount Everest expedition.

Continue on to days 11-21!

The ABA Commission on Women in the Profession would like to thank the ABA Antitrust Women.Connected Committee for their contributions to the 21 Day Grit and Growth Mindset Project.