Everyone defines success and being successful differently. But anyone who can describe themselves as successful is also satisfied. So can you learn to be successful?
Being successful in life doesn't just have to do with a good job and good pay. These are two main factors that inspire other people to believe that someone is successful.
However, more desirable than being seen as successful by others is being able to describe yourself as successful and therefore happy. Because that means that you have achieved something in your life, something that is important to you. Success is also the ability to work on your dreams, be they professional or private, and ultimately make them come true.
So what do we parents have to teach our children so that they can say, “I am successful, I am satisfied!”?
'Grit' in education
Although success comes overnight for some people today thanks to social networks, this is more the exception than the rule. What it really takes to be successful is a combination of passion and perseverance. Called 'Grit' for short by the American psychologist, professor and author Angela Duckworth.
And 'grit', as she explains in detail in her book 'GRIT - The new formula for success: reaching your goal with enthusiasm and perseverance', is a decisive factor for success - often more important than talent or intelligence.
Children who develop grit, Duckworth says, are better able to pursue long-term goals, cope with setbacks and continually improve.
In today's world where quick gratification is increasingly common - whether through digital entertainment or fast consumer goods - these qualities can mean the difference between success and failure. Grit is not only an important component for professional success, but also for personal growth and the ability to deal with stress and disappointments.
How can parents teach skills?
Grit is more than just a trait, it is a life skill that helps children thrive in a complex and often challenging world.
Fostering perseverance and passion means giving a child the tools to face challenges with determination and perseverance. By finding the right balance of support and responsibility, parents can help their children discover their own strengths and achieve long-term success.
1. Set long-term goals and celebrate small successes
To develop perseverance, patience and passion, children must learn that success takes time. Parents can support this by helping their children set long-term goals while also defining small milestones. These should be reviewed and celebrated regularly. A child who enjoys small successes is more likely to continue to strive and stick to their goals.
2. Conveys the importance of perseverance and hard work
It is important for children to understand that persistence and hard work are often necessary to achieve their goals. Parents can convey this through their own actions and attitudes. When parents take on challenges themselves and don't give up, they set a good example. A child who sees his or her parents working through difficulties learns that persistence is a valuable quality.
3. Creates a supportive environment
A supportive environment is crucial for developing grit. Parents should create an atmosphere in which mistakes are seen as learning opportunities and not as failures. Children should be encouraged to analyze their mistakes and learn from them instead of being discouraged by them.
Open conversations about challenges and finding solutions can help children develop a healthy relationship with failure.
4. Promotes discipline and responsibility
Discipline is a core component of 'Grit'. Parents can encourage this skill by giving their children regular routines and tasks to complete independently. These tasks should be challenging but doable. Through regular repetition, children learn how important it is to stick with something and motivate themselves.
Balance between support and personal responsibility
Parents play a crucial role in fostering perseverance and passion in their children, but it is important to find a balance between support and ownership. Excessive help or parental interference with every challenge can hinder the development of independence and perseverance.
Children should have the opportunity to solve their own problems and learn from their experiences, even if it means sometimes failing.
The key is to be present and supportive as parents without depriving children of the opportunity to act and grow on their own.
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