In the healthcare industry, stress is a constant companion. From long shifts and high patient volumes to emotionally taxing situations and life-or-death decisions, healthcare professionals face relentless pressure. The ability to perform under these intense conditions doesn’t just depend on skill or knowledge — it requires something deeper, something more intrinsic: grit.
Grit is the combination of passion and perseverance for long-term goals. It’s about sticking with something over the long haul, even when faced with setbacks, adversity, or failure. While talent and intelligence may get you far, it’s grit that gets you through the hardest times.
I’ve had my share of challenges in life, most notably when a car accident at age 19 left me paralyzed. In the aftermath, I learned that success — whether in overcoming adversity or achieving professional goals — is not just about having the right skills; it’s about pushing through when everything feels impossible. Grit gave me the strength to keep fighting for my recovery, and it continues to be a cornerstone of everything I do, especially in my work with healthcare professionals.
In the world of healthcare, where burnout is prevalent, resilience is crucial, and stress is ever-present, grit is more than just a buzzword — it’s a necessity. Let’s explore how healthcare professionals can develop grit and use it to thrive, not just survive, in this demanding field.
What is Grit and Why Does It Matter in Healthcare?
Grit is often defined as a combination of two key traits: perseverance and passion. It’s the ability to maintain effort and interest over years, despite failure, adversity, and plateaus in progress. It’s about sticking with your goals even when you face seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
For healthcare professionals, grit is essential because:
- It Enables You to Push Through Tough Times
Healthcare is emotionally and physically demanding. There will be moments when you’re exhausted, frustrated, and overwhelmed. Grit gives you the ability to keep going when things get tough. Whether you’re working through a long shift, dealing with an uncooperative patient, or facing a healthcare crisis, grit allows you to persevere and keep pushing toward your goals. - It Helps You Adapt and Innovate
Healthcare is always evolving. New treatments, technologies, and protocols emerge constantly. Grit helps professionals not only cope with change but embrace it. Those with grit are able to adapt, innovate, and take on new challenges, even when the road is uncertain. - It Builds Resilience
Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from setbacks; it’s about growing stronger through adversity. Grit is the key to developing resilience because it gives you the determination to keep improving, even after failures. In healthcare, where mistakes and setbacks are inevitable, resilience is a critical quality that ensures professionals continue providing high-quality care despite challenges. - It Keeps You Focused on Long-Term Goals
Healthcare professionals often face immediate pressures and short-term challenges. However, having the grit to focus on the long-term goals — improving patient care, advancing your skills, and growing as a professional — keeps you motivated in the face of daily stresses. Grit helps you maintain perspective on your broader purpose, even during the toughest days.
How Healthcare Professionals Can Cultivate Grit
Grit isn’t something you’re born with. It’s a skill you can develop. Here are some strategies to help healthcare professionals build grit and use it to overcome challenges and achieve long-term success:
1. Develop a Clear Sense of Purpose
Grit thrives when you have a clear and compelling vision that motivates you. In healthcare, your purpose is clear: to help others, to provide excellent patient care, and to make a difference in your community. But when the demands of the job start to wear you down, that sense of purpose is what keeps you going.
Action Tip: Take time to reflect on why you entered healthcare in the first place. Reconnect with your purpose regularly, whether through meditation, journaling, or discussing it with a colleague or mentor.
2. Embrace the Power of “Yet”
One of the hallmarks of grit is the ability to see challenges as opportunities for growth. When faced with difficult situations, instead of thinking “I can’t do this,” add the word “yet.” This shift in thinking helps you see that no challenge is permanent — it’s just something you have not overcome yet.
Action Tip: When you face a difficult task, remind yourself: I haven’t mastered this yet, or I haven’t figured this out yet.This mindset helps you keep moving forward, even when things seem difficult.
3. Set Long-Term Goals and Break Them Down into Smaller Tasks
Grit is sustained when you focus on long-term goals and break them down into manageable steps. It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day demands, but long-term success comes from staying focused on your bigger purpose.
Action Tip: Set clear long-term career or professional goals and break them down into smaller, actionable steps. Celebrate each step along the way, whether it’s gaining new certifications, improving patient satisfaction, or simply mastering a new skill.
4. Build Mental Toughness
Mental toughness is a key component of grit. It’s the ability to stay focused and remain calm under pressure. In healthcare, where lives are on the line, mental toughness is an essential quality. You can develop mental toughness by challenging yourself and facing discomfort head-on.
Action Tip: When you feel overwhelmed, practice mindfulness or deep breathing exercises to center yourself. Push yourself to stay calm and composed in high-pressure situations, and with time, you’ll become more adept at handling stress.
5. Stay Committed to Lifelong Learning
Grit isn’t just about pushing through difficulties — it’s also about growing through them. Healthcare professionals who are committed to lifelong learning continue to evolve and adapt to new challenges. Grit enables you to stay curious and hungry for growth, even after years of experience.
Action Tip: Make a habit of seeking out new opportunities to learn, whether that’s attending workshops, engaging with new research, or simply reflecting on your practice. Continuous learning helps you stay motivated and adaptable.
Grit in Action: Overcoming Healthcare Challenges
I learned the true power of grit when I faced my own life-altering challenge after my car accident. At age 19, I was told I would never walk again. The doctors and specialists had a fixed picture of my future — but I didn’t. I refused to accept their limitations and embraced a mindset of grit and perseverance. Step by step, I rebuilt my life. It wasn’t easy, but grit kept me going, helping me break through every physical and mental barrier in my path.
Similarly, in healthcare, professionals face obstacles daily — whether it’s patient care challenges, emotional burnout, or systemic difficulties. It’s the grit to push through and keep working toward a solution that can make all the difference. When healthcare professionals embrace grit, they rise above adversity, become stronger, and ultimately provide better care for their patients.
Conclusion: Grit as the Key to Thriving in Healthcare
Grit is a game-changer in healthcare. It’s what separates those who just get through the day from those who thrive under pressure, remain resilient in the face of adversity, and make a lasting impact on their patients. Developing grit requires persistence, self-reflection, and a deep connection to your purpose. It’s about committing to your long-term goals, embracing challenges as opportunities, and building the mental toughness needed to perform at your best in high-pressure situations.
For healthcare professionals, grit is not just about surviving the demands of the job — it’s about thriving in the face of adversity, providing exceptional patient care, and continuously growing as a professional. When you cultivate grit, you empower yourself to overcome any obstacle and achieve the extraordinary.
If you’re ready to help your healthcare team develop grit and build a resilient, high-performing culture, I’d love to assist. Through my keynote “Rise Above Every Obstacle,” I share proven strategies for developing grit, fostering resilience, and achieving long-term success in healthcare.
Let’s work together to build teams that don’t just survive — they thrive.
Scott Burrows, Keynote Motivational Speaker | Author
Office: 813-477-0862
Website: www.scottburrows.com
Donna Buttice, Business Manager
Office: 630-330-7533
Inspiring organizations to cultivate a Vision that transcends boundaries, a Mindset that defies limitations, a Grit that knows no bounds!
