Some people mistake grit for sheer persistence - charging up the same hill again and again. But that's not quite what I mean by the word 'grit.' You want to minimize friction and find the most effective, most efficient way forward. You might actually have more grit if you treat your energy as a precious commodity.
Interpretation
Grit involves smart effort rather than just relentless persistence.
In this quote, Reid Hoffman emphasizes that true grit is not merely about relentless persistence in the face of obstacles, but rather about finding smarter, more efficient ways to achieve one's goals. He suggests that effective effort should focus on minimizing friction and treating one's energy wisely, as this can lead to greater success than simply charging forward without a strategy.
In practice
In a motivational speech about achieving goals in business, this quote can inspire effective strategies.
Leaders, whether in the public or the private sphere, must understand the responsibilities that come with their role. They are the most visible standard-bearers of their organizations. Holding them accountable to this responsibility protects the promise of our organizations and our communities.
The same instincts that make us good students can make us lousy entrepreneurs.
The entrepreneurial journey starts with jumping off a cliff and assembling an airplane on the way down.
Any effort to make the death penalty speedier and less costly - more 'efficient' - will inevitably make it less just.
I've long believed that if you're not embarrassed by your first product release, you've released too late.
Good ideas need good strategy to realize their potential.
Not to waste time on nonsense. Not to be taken in by conjurors and hoodoo artists with their talk about incantations and exorcism and all the rest of it. Not to be obsessed with quail-fighting or other crazes like that.
In a man's middle years there is scarcely a part of the body he would hesitate to turn over to the proper authorities.
The joyful news for anyone who desires to be rid of the consequences of past poor choices is that the Lord sees weaknesses differently than He does rebellion. Whereas the Lord warns that unrepented rebellion will bring punishment, when the Lord speaks of weaknesses, it is always with mercy.
The ultimate ignorance is the rejection of something you know nothing about, yet refuse to investigate.
Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down by the mind before you reach eighteen.
He who has a slight disadvantage plays more attentively, inventively and more boldly than his antagonist who either takes it easy or aspires after too much. Thus a slight disadvantage is very frequently seen to convert into a good, solid advantage.
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