Grit is the ability to keep working toward a goal or objective that takes months or even years to complete. It requires self-control, focus on the big picture, staying the course, and motivation to push forward through setbacks or periods of little to no forward movement—things that women business owners know all about. Share a time when you used your personal grit to push forward.
Mary Jane Alagheband, Agent at E.J. Coyne & Company, Inc.
Grit is defined as having resolve and the courage and strength to push on.
Honestly, I don’t know one member of NAWBO Chicago who doesn’t have grit. Each of us has had those days where we just don’t know if we have the energy to go another step – but the next morning comes and, yep, we get out of bed, get dressed and move our business forward, sometimes an inch and sometimes a mile. It is our grit that keeps us going.
I have had my fair share of wins and losses in my career. One that comes to mind is when I was working for a company and thought I was really climbing and making a name for myself. I had wrapped myself in this career so tightly that I didn’t separate my personal space from my career. Out of the blue they let me go. I was stunned. I gave myself a few days to get the wind back in my sails, and I decided to believe in ME. It has not been easy — true wins are never easy, but it is fulfilling. I am thankful for the opportunity my old company gave me, and I am moving forward for myself and my career rather than just making numbers for a company. I love what I do, and yes, each of us has grit. We move forward every day.
Rebecca Austin, Administrative Director of Coaching Financial
Looking back, I have applied unimaginable amount of grit but certainly did not feel like it in those moments. One that stands out was walking away from a 15-year career in finance to stay home with my 4-year-old son. I never second-guessed my decision but couldn’t help thinking how broken our corporate system was that forced me to do it in the first place.
This was 2016 when hybrid/remote positions were unheard of, and the seed of thought stemmed from a British nurse in Labor & Delivery who was appalled I was returning to work six weeks after giving birth. (The United Kingdom and Europe enjoy a year of paid leave.) Over the next four years, I struggled to maintain balance in my life. I pulled the plug a year before my son entered school. I never looked back and five years later (thanks to Covid-19 pandemic), I returned to the field I love without having to sacrifice family time. Grit can mean taking a big leap and trusting you have the knowledge and resources to make it work long term.
Elizabeth Colón, President & Founder of Metaphrasis
Despite having no formal experience and limited resources, I was tasked with organizing an annual gala within a tight timeframe of seven months, with minimal support and one staff person to assist me. To make matters more challenging, I had to deal with a person who actively worked against the event’s success. Nevertheless, undeterred by the obstacles, I persevered, choosing to focus on the goal and ignore the distractions.
To my delight and everyone else’s surprise, the event defied all odds and turned into a resounding success. It not only sold out, but it also boasted the highest attendance and raised the most money in the gala’s history. The triumph was a testament to the power of grit and determination, proving that with passion and perseverance, anything is achievable.
The experience taught me that sometimes, when faced with daunting challenges, the key is to maintain focus, overcome the distractions, and stay dedicated to the end goal. While the journey was arduous, the sense of accomplishment and the valuable lessons learned made it all worthwhile.
Lindsey Evans, Owner & Managing Broker of Liberty Pointe Realty LLC
I call my personal grit experience “The Mass Walkout.” I’m sure there are entrepreneurs who can agree with me that we haven’t always made all the right decisions. We’ve got bumps, bruises, cuts and grey hair. I recently had a major setback (well, actually it was 3 wrapped into 1 – Yikes!). It seems that every time I go through a major health crisis or family crisis, my employees fold under pressure. This time, all employees quit the same day!
I stepped back, assessed, cried, panicked and then I put my big girl panties on, did some self-care and developed a strategy to use this setback to pivot into a major comeback. The best part is that I was able to find myself again. If you find yourself in a setback, celebrate! After all, over is the best place to start! It didn’t kill you. Lift your head, connect with likeminded NAWBO sisters and kill it because you’ve got it in you! This world needs you, your ideas and the solutions you bring to problems.
Stephanie Posey, Owner & Attorney of Posey Law Group LLC
The etymology of grit is dust, earth or gravel. To have grit means to have courage and resolve, strength of character, pluck and mettle.
I learned that I can cultivate grit. I used to take the dust and gravel of my experiences for granted, but once I opened my eyes and started to pay attention, I now look for those pebbles and stones around me and ask what are they here to teach me.
My favorite clients are women business owners. I delight in being a witness to an idea being birthed from someone’s head and brought forth into a community. I know how equally terrifying and exhilarating that can be as a small business owner myself. It takes so much to make it all work – and it’s hard, lonely work. Not unlike being a mother, really. The moment I opened my mind and made that connection was the moment my professional life really came into focus.
My job is not only to support and equip my clients with legal systems and tools, but it’s also to provide the encouragement and support of the women making that magic happen. We reflect to each other the importance of the work we both do. Our work matters because, like grit, it is of the earth.