Cultivating the “Wright” Mindset: How Self-Belief and Grit Lead to Soaring

Achieving major life goals often requires persevering through challenges for extended periods without seeing immediate results or benefits. Whether training for a marathon, trying to maintain your well being routines, or supporting a loved one, how do we sustain progress day after day?

This week we celebrated Wright Brothers Day on December 13th, commemorating the first successful heavier-than-air powered flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright in 1903. While the pioneering brothers are now famous, their path to flight was filled with challenges. Through self-belief and despite setbacks they kept going with sheer determination – a quality we call "grit" – they ultimately achieved flight.

Grit is defined as the ability to sustain effort and maintain interest in your goals - over a period of time - and despite obstacles and setbacks. Grit matters because research shows grittier individuals tend to achieve higher measures of success and performance.

But as anyone who has ever tried to set and meet goals knows, sustaining progress day after day can be a real challenge. No matter how many smart goals you use, it is hard. If we look at the Wright brothers though, we can identify four key principles for sustaining effort.

Practice Celebrating Small Wins

The Wrights became disappointed when their first flights did not impress the public. But focusing too much on the end goal can blind us to the progress we actually make – no matter how big or small.. Instead of getting too caught up in your “failures”, acknowledge and commemorate small wins.

For example, like the first time you ran 2 miles without stopping or did your morning routine for a full week straight. Those are things worth celebrating!

Each step forward fuels motivation.

What this looks like in practice 👉 This is the reason I love to strength train. Every session it is possible to see progress - I lift one more rep, I increase the weight, I add a new exercise, I have better form.

Vary Your Strategies

Through each failed flight attempt, the Wrights tweaked their designs and experiments based on lessons learned. Similarly, adjust your strategies when you get stuck.

If you hit a plateau physically training, try a new strength move or running trail. If your usual routines for managing focus work are not helping, research and find different strategies to try for a while.

Doing something new re-energizes progress.

What this looks like in practice 👉 Peri-menopause and brain fog are twin pains in my backside right now.

❌My usual systems for keeping track of things and getting focused work done stopped working.

❌ I was forgetting to put things down in my google task list.

❌My ability to sit down and just work all day went out the window.

Instead of beating myself up I spent a few weeks trying different ways of keeping track of tasks, and different ways of structuring my working day/week.

Eventually I found a system that works for me (at least for now!) and that’s Trello for to-do’s (see this blog post for more if that interests you!) and planning my week to have some focused time slots in the morning (when my brain works best) and allow for naps in the afternoon if I need it.

Connect Daily Efforts to Meaning

When the Wright brothers lacked public recognition, they found motivation by connecting back to their purpose – contributing to human flight capabilities. When willpower wanes and you are wondering why you are bothering, reflect on what difference achieving your goal will make to future you.

If you are fitter / stronger / calmer / more skilled / happier, what difference will that make to your life and those around you?

Linking mundane steps to personal meaning gives them significance.

What this looks like in practice 👉 For me, I try to be consistent with exercise because it makes me happier (afterwards!)I have more energy, I feel proud of myself, but also because I want to be like this lady when I’m old - not hunched over in a chair and relying on others to do things for me.

Leverage Support Systems

Although intensely private, the Wrights partnered with engineers and investors to scale up manufacturing after their public flights. Who can support you in sustaining progress day-to-day? Share your goals with friends and family open to lending an ear when frustrations arise or celebrating milestones with you.

Everyone needs supportive social connections (yes - even us introverts!) Seek online communities or local groups where others are facing similar challenges.

What this looks like in practice 👉 I have 3 groups of coaches for support - I do co-working with one group, run an action learning set/mastermind with another, and share wins, challenges and questions with the third. Knowing I’m not the only one struggling is as invaluable as the suggestions and support that they offer.

Ready to put this into practice?

Sustaining effort towards long-term goals can be super tough. Today’s post has explored three ways we can make it easier by celebrating small wins, varying strategies when stuck, linking daily efforts to meaning, and leveraging support systems.

Which ones are you going to try?

The Wright brothers showed us the amazing things that can be achieved by pushing forward through the unpredictability of life.

If you have longer term goals or changes you want to make in your life, and you need assistance getting clarity on them, planning, or keeping them on track, why not book a free insight call with me. This is a 20 minute no obligation chat. I will find out where you are stuck and help you figure out if coaching could be a good fit for you.

How can grit help with long term goals?