Ep 25: How Does Your Business’s Secret Superpower Relate to a Grain of Sand (And Why Should You Care?)

What on earth could your business’s secret superpower be related to a grain of sand? It’s a great question – and one I would have asked just a few days ago! 

But I really love the answer. It’s insightful, it’s challenging, it’s encouraging and it’s SUPER actionable. So… with that, let’s dig in.

Today’s episode is brought to you by: Grit! 😉 Well, it’s all about grit.

Let’s start by talking about what the word grit really means. There are two definitions that really intrigued me, and that I think are powerfully related.

1. Small, loose particles of stone or sand

Or

2. Courage and resolve; strength of character

It feels like those two could be related or tied together in some way, right? But it’s not incredibly obvious either. So, after reading these two definitions, I took some time to think about how these two takes on the same word could be related (AND more importantly, be insightful as we continue to grow our businesses!).

Here’s how I see the connection: it’s the particles of stone and sand that give something it’s staying power, so it doesn’t give way, it stays.

Do you know what I love about this? The thing that makes something gritty or having staying power, it’s really small.

It’s not a boulder. A boulder couldn’t do this work. It’s a bunch of tiny pieces of sand and stone.

Let’s look at it another way: 

Let’s say and artisan sees a really interesting piece of wood. It may not look like much in the beginning, in fact if probably doesn’t.

But that artist has a vision of what it COULD look like. 

So as this artist pursues their vision, there will probably be some bigger chances of wood removed early on. 

But as they progress, the changes to this piece of wood become smaller and smaller. Finer and finer.

And when an artist takes up some sandpaper, the progress may feel much slower.

But it’s in those moments, days, weeks that the artists vision is realized.

1. Sandpaper – change the world around you, make it smoother and more beautiful

2. Just like sand, how we show our grit may be small. But it is the compounding interest of grit that gets us to where we want to be.

If you haven’t seen Angela Lee Duckworth’s TED Talk about grit, that’s a must-watch. She’s currently researching it

She describes GRIT as passion and perseverance – so more of a marathon approach toward our goals than a sprint. And I agree with her. 

Whittle away what needs to be done. Don’t quit. Show your world your grit.

3. What does grit look like in the everyday? It’s in the small things as much as the big things.

– Showing up when you don’t feel like it.
– Following through when you don’t see the progress you’re looking for.
– When a campaign isn’t as effective as you hoped it would be, make some modifications and try it again
– If you don’t get the contract or client you were hoping for, take stock if what you think happened and reach out, better prepared, to another ideal client

You have the ability to shape your world. Sometimes it’s in a big and visible way but sometimes may feel small.

But remember, it’s the sandpaper that brings a piece of art to life. Don’t fear the small.

I hope you find some ways to find some places to insert your sandpaper into your week.