The Superhero Power You Need to Know About: Grit
Grit helps freelancers succeed because it drives steady action, persistence, and recovery after setbacks
Key Takeaways
- Grit is a big driver of freelance success because it helps you stay focused on long-term goals and keep going through setbacks.
- For freelancers, grit matters more than raw talent alone because steady effort and persistence help you win clients and recover from losses.
- You can build more grit by chasing small wins, building strong work habits, and keeping a positive attitude.
Why is Grit a Superhero Power?
Do you ever wonder why it’s so hard to make a good living as a freelancer when you now you’re talented and smart? Here’s the big secret to freelance success: Grit.
You don’t need to be a genius like Ironman. And you don’t need to have the endurance of Captain America or the speed of Wonder Woman.
But you do need one power that all superheroes have: Grit.
Also called determination or mental toughness, grit is the “perseverance and passion to achieve long–term goals,” says James Clear in his report on “The Science of Developing Mental Toughness in Your Health, Work, and Life.”
Freelancers who succeed aren’t luckier or smarter than freelancers who struggle. We’re simply determined to succeed and to push through the obstacles that all freelancers face.
We have grit.
Why is Grit so Important?
Less than 30% of what you achieve is based on how smart you are, says Clear based on research he’s reviewed.
Surprisingly, grit is more important than anything else in achieving business goals. “That’s good news because you can’t do much about the genes you were born with, but you can do a lot to develop mental toughness,” says Clear.
Grit is a key part of the mindset for freelance success.
Live life like a marathon
“Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint,” says Angela Duckworth, author of the New York Times Bestseller Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance and much of the research in Clear’s report.
What got me through losing my biggest client in 2016 was grit. After a brief pity party (yes, I did fell sorry for myself at first), I started an active marketing campaign. Within a few months, I had 4 new clients and as much work as I wanted. Surviving a Freelance Disaster: Here’s What Happened to Me tells you more about this.
How Does Grit Help Freelancers?
Remember how Charlie Brown kept trying to kick that football, even though Lucy pulled it away from him every time? Charlie Brown never gave up. He had grit.
“. . . grit is holding steadfast to that goal. Even when you fall down. Even when you screw up. Even when progress toward that goal is halting or slow,” says Duckworth.
Grit helps you:
- Be happier
- Be more optimistic
- Be more resilient
- Worker harder to achieve your goals.
If you want to know how much grit you have, take Duckworth’s Grit Scale.
When I did this, I scored 4.09. Duckworth says this is higher than about 70% of American adults.
3 Ways for Freelancers to Grow More Grit
You can grow your grit, say both Duckworth and Clear. Here are 3 ways to do it.
1. Achieve small wins
“Mental toughness is like a muscle. It needs to be worked to grow and develop,” says Clear. “If you haven’t pushed yourself in thousands of small ways, of course you’ll wilt when things get really difficult,” he says.
If you set big goals, then it’s really hard to achieve them. For example:
Big Unreasonable Goal
Get one new client this week
Failure is almost guaranteed with this goal, because you don’t have any control over when clients hire you. And clients rarely need freelance help when we first contact them.
Small Achievable Goal
Send direct emails to 10 prospects this week
This is a goal that you can easily achieve.
2. Develop good habits
Building good habits is key to growing your grit, says Clear. “Mentally tough people develop systems that help them focus on the important stuff regardless of how many obstacles life puts in front of them. It’s their habits that form the foundation of their mental beliefs and ultimately set them apart.”
And focusing on the important stuff is really important. Many freelancers waste time on things that don’t matter and then never get to activities that can help them achieve their goal of building a successful freelance business.
3. Be positive
Clients want to work with freelancers who have a positive attitude and colleagues want to refer work to us because they trust us.
And having a positive attitude means that we don’t have to work as hard to get great clients—because clients and colleagues like us.
No one likes to be around—or work with—negative people. A negative attitude zaps your energy. It makes you less resilient—and more negative.
Like grit, a positive attitude is something you can develop. Here are a few ways to become more positive:
- Think positive thoughts
- Use positive words
- Seek out other people with positive attitudes
- When bad things happen, learn from them and don’t blame yourself.
Learn More About Grit
The Mighty Marketer:
FREE TOOL: The Ultimate Guide to the Freelance Success Mindset
Surviving a Freelance Disaster: Here’s What Happened to Me
4 Ways to Become a More Positive Thinker
Mighty Marketer posts on the Mindset for Freelance Success
James Clear:
The Science of Developing Mental Toughness in Your Health, Work, and Life
Angela Duckworth:
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
Frequently Asked Questions About Grit for Freelancers
What is grit in freelancing?
Grit in freelancing is the mix of persistence and long-term commitment. In this article, grit means sticking with your goals, pushing through setbacks, and continuing to market your services even when progress feels slow.
Why does grit matter more than talent for freelancers?
Talent helps, but grit keeps you working toward results over time. The article argues that freelancers succeed because they stay determined, build habits, and keep going through the normal ups and downs of client work.
Can freelancers build grit over time?
Yes, the article says grit can grow with practice. It recommends building it through small wins, better habits, and a more positive attitude, which makes it easier to stay consistent.
What are practical ways to grow grit as a freelancer?
The article gives three direct ideas: aim for small, achievable goals, build habits that support your work, and stay positive. For example, sending 10 prospect emails is a stronger goal than expecting to land a new client in one week.
How does grit help after losing a client?
Grit helps you recover by keeping you in action instead of getting stuck. The article shares a first-hand example of losing a biggest client, starting a focused marketing push, and gaining four new clients within a few months.
Last updated April 20, 2026.
Lori De Milto is a freelance medical writer and marketing coach who has helped freelance medical writers and editors get the clients they deserve since 2014. Through her proven process, she teaches freelancers how to market with clarity and confidence so they can build stable, successful freelance businesses.