I produce two videos a week that are published for subscribers on X. They focus on life and leadership skills. Very often, the comments I receive from subscribers say something along the lines of, “well, that’s easier said than done.”

I don’t disagree with that at all. In fact, almost everything worth doing is easier said than done. What often separates highly successful people from less successful people is that they do those things anyway.

Those highly successful people have figured out how NOT to quit when quitting would be so much easier than pushing forward. When tempted to quit, they reflect on why they started. When tempted to quit, they remember the days when they hoped to be as close to their goals as they are now. When tempted to quit, they summon the resilience required to grind their way closer to their end goal.

You may not have, or may not realize that you have, the same ability to develop the resilience and grit of highly successful people.

But you do!

Developing resilience and grit requires a combination of mindset shifts, intentional habits, and continuous self-improvement. Here are some ideas on how you can develop yourself into someone who will not be stopped.

1. Cultivate a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset, coined by Carol Dweck, is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. To build resilience:

Embrace challenges as opportunities to grow.

Replace “I can’t do this” with “I can’t do this yet.”

View failure as feedback rather than a permanent setback.

2. Strengthen Emotional Control

Resilient people manage stress and setbacks effectively. To improve emotional regulation:

Practice mindfulness: Take time EVERY DAY to stop and think, to remind yourself why you set the goals you’ve set. Think positive possibilities!

Reframe negative thoughts: Instead of thinking “This is the worst,” try “This is tough, but I can handle it.”

Build self-awareness: Notice what triggers negative thoughts and develop positive coping strategies.

3. Develop a Strong Purpose & Intrinsic Motivation

Grit, as defined by Angela Duckworth, is the combination of passion and perseverance. To cultivate it:

Find a meaningful goal that excites you.

Align daily actions with long-term aspirations.

Remind yourself again why you’re pursuing your goals and what achieving them would mean for you and those close to you.

4. Build Mental Toughness Through Adversity

Resilience is strengthened by enduring and learning from tough experiences.

Do hard things intentionally: Push yourself outside your comfort zone.

Stay committed: Even when motivation fades, keep going.

Develop self-discipline: Set routines and stick to them, even when you don’t feel like it. You’ll soon discover that routines make success much easier.

5. Create a Support System

You don’t have to do it alone.

Surround yourself with supportive and resilient people.

Seek mentorship from those who have overcome adversity.

Lean on friends and family during difficult times.

6. Embrace Consistency Over Intensity

Small, daily habits build long-term resilience.

Stay committed to routines, even when progress seems slow. Remember, even a little progress is better than no progress.

Focus on long-term improvement rather than short-term wins.

7. Take Care of Your Physical & Mental Health

Resilience and grit are easier to develop when you are physically and mentally well.

Turn the phone off at least an hour before bed, and while you’re at it, turn the TV off too.

Exercise regularly to reduce stress.

Remember, taking care of yourself is not selfish, it’s the only way you can have the resilience required to help others too.

8. Learn from Setbacks & Failures

Instead of dwelling on failure, analyze what went wrong and adjust.

Ask: What can I learn from this?

Adapt and try again with new strategies.

Celebrate small wins to keep momentum.

Final Thought:

Resilience and grit aren’t innate; they are skills you develop through consistent effort. By pushing through discomfort, learning from adversity, and staying committed to your goals, you’ll build the strength to handle anything life throws at you.