Enthusiasm, Confidence, Patience

One of the main obstacles for scientists trying to document the influence of personality traits on achievement was that the standard definition of traits - attributes such as conscientiousness and extroversion - was rather vague. Duckworth began wondering if more narrowly defined traits might prove to be more predictive. She began by focusing on aspects of conscientiousness that have to do with “long-term stamina,” such as maintaining a consistent set of interests, and downplayed aspects of the trait related to short-term self-control, such as staying on a diet. In other words, a gritty person might occasionally eat too much chocolate cake, but they won’t change careers every year. “Grit is very much about the big picture,” Duckworth says. “It’s about picking a specific goal off in the distant future and not swerving from it.”

- The Truth About Grit: Modern science builds the case for an old-fashioned virtue - and uncovers new secrets to success, Boston Globe

utsāhān niścayād dhairyāt...bhaktiḥ prasidhyati: By enthusiasm, confidence, and patience...bhakti becomes succesful.

- Nectar of Instruction, Text 3

Only the ignorant speak of devotional service [karma-yoga] as being different from the analytical study of the material world [Sāńkhya]. Those who are actually learned say that he who applies himself well to one of these paths achieves the results of both. One who knows that the position reached by means of analytical study can also be attained by devotional service, and who therefore sees analytical study and devotional service to be on the same level, sees things as they are.

- Bhavagad-gita 5.4-5

Dharma ­­— universal, eternal principles — refers to things that are universally true.