What factor do science and the Spirit of Prophecy unanimously recognize as being more important than genius or talent for achieving success in life?

Observing the disparity between success, intelligence, and talent at school, a teacher decided to delve deeper into research and discovered that the most important element for the success of children and adults is grit (in English). Many other studies also confirm this finding.

The dictionary translation for grit is:

1. Noun – gravel, (coarse) sand, grains/particles (of stone); determination, endurance, courage.

2. Verb – to grit one's teeth.

Reading this, I thought about how sandblasting is used to polish and clean rusty or dirty metals. I also thought about a stone in one's shoe. These things are abrasive, they hurt, but if we grit our teeth through the pain and keep going, that is grit.

In Ellen White's writings, another term is used: application.

“Every young person should be taught the necessity and power of application. Success depends much more on this than on genius or talent. Without application, the most brilliant talents are of little value, while people of very common natural abilities have achieved wonders through well-directed effort. And genius, whose conceptions we marvel at, is almost invariably united with tireless, concentrated effort.” (Education p. 232)

Talents are aptitudes, abilities that can be physical, mental, social, and emotional, but application or grit is the character quality that enhances talents… and it must be taught! Observe the words she uses to describe application: well-directed effort, tireless, concentrated effort.

When children believe that success in a task or at school is a result of talent, they tend to avoid more difficult tasks where they might achieve a lower result, which would indicate a lack of ability. But those who understand that a good grade or success is a result of effort are much more ready to persevere and deal with failures, because they know that trying helps them learn. Thus, whatever talents we observe in our children, it is important that we teach them to strive and to persevere. But it's not just any effort; it's directed effort.

Have you ever seen people who work a lot but produce little? Sometimes they don't plan, or they lose sight of the goal and start something else, or they do the work without considering how it could be improved. Thinking about what you do with the aim of doing it better is a way of thinking that can be developed and applied to everything in life – directed effort.

Today we are inundated with electronics that distract and deconcentrate us. Studies show that when we are interrupted or check our WhatsApp or the internet, it takes 28 minutes for our brain to regain its level of concentration. In other words, we constantly operate with a lower level of concentration on the task at hand.

Concentrated effort is represented in the Bible through this verse: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might”… Ec 9:10. Regarding tireless effort, we read the following words from Jesus: “But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.” Mt 24:13

Of course, we must take into account the child's age and their current developmental stage. We can teach them gradually, with patience and perseverance, through word and example.

May God help us develop this crucial characteristic in children and in ourselves, so we may succeed in this life and in eternity!

Silvia Martins

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