How to Create a Successful Mindset: The Science of Passion and Perseverance

The Mel Robbins Podcast

SiriusXM Podcasts

Education, Mental Health, Relationships, Self-improvement, Society & Culture, Health & Fitness

4.8 • 10.6K Ratings

🗓️ 13 October 2025

⏱️ 96 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

What if the one thing that matters most for your success isn’t talent, luck, or intelligence, but something you can build starting today? In this eye-opening conversation, renowned psychologist Dr. Angela Duckworth joins Mel to reveal the real science of success and what drives achievement – and it’s not what you’ve been told. You’ll learn why grit – the combination of passion and perseverance – matters more than talent, intelligence, or motivation alone. And today, you’ll learn exactly how to build it. Dr. Duckworth is a pioneering researcher in psychology, professor at The University of Pennsylvania, a MacArthur “Genius” Grant winner, and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Grit, which has changed the way millions of people understand success. In this powerful, research-backed conversation, she unpacks the truth about what it really takes to succeed and how you and your family can tap into this research in your daily life. You’ll learn: -The four traits gritty people have (and how to build them) -Why most people quit too soon and how to stay motivated -How to develop a growth mindset at any age -What elite performers know about discipline that you don’t -Why your environment is quietly shaping your success Success isn’t reserved for the gifted, it’s built by those who refuse to give up. If you’re feeling stuck, unmotivated, or ready to give up, don’t. Not before you hear this. Because grit can be learned. And this episode shows you how. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page. If you liked the episode, check out this one next: How to Motivate Yourself: Leverage Dopamine & Overcome Your Excuses Connect with Mel: Get Mel’s #1 bestselling book, The Let Them Theory Watch the episodes on YouTube Follow Mel on Instagram The Mel Robbins Podcast Instagram Mel's TikTok Sign up for Mel’s personal letter Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes ad-free Disclaimer

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, it's your friend Mel, and welcome to the Mel Robbins podcast.
0:08.7	Have you ever looked at someone who's wildly successful and thought,
0:12.0	they just must have been born with something I'm never going to have?
0:15.8	Or maybe you look at your own life, your job, your goals, your relationship,
0:19.8	and you just keep asking yourself,
0:21.0	why can't I stick with this? Why am I not consistent? Why do I not have willpower? Well, if you've
0:28.3	ever felt like that, first of all, you're not lazy, you're not broken. You're just missing one
0:35.0	thing. See, talent doesn't make people great. Grit does. Hard work beats talent
0:42.3	every time, especially when that work is driven by a purpose that won't let you quit. And that's what
0:49.5	you and I are going to talk about today. We're going to talk about the mindset of high achievers
0:53.8	and the psychology of perseverance. And we're going to talk about the mindset of high achievers and the psychology
0:55.6	of perseverance. And we're going to dig into the real science of success. You're going to learn it's
1:02.1	not luck, it's not IQ. It's not being born with some rare gift. It's something way more powerful
1:09.7	and way more honest.
1:12.2	It's about grit.
1:16.8	That mix of passion and perseverance for your long-term goals.
1:20.4	The mental toughness to keep showing up when things suck.
1:26.7	The self-belief to keep going when it's boring or hard or it's discouraging as hell. And the best news, grit is not something you're
1:30.8	born with. It's something you build. And today, you're going to get the tools from the woman who
1:37.7	wrote the book, did the research, teaches the Ivy League course on the science of success and grit.
1:47.0	It's not too late, but it is up to you.
1:52.8	So if you're sitting there telling yourself, I'm just not cut out for success. I don't have the discipline or I've just failed too many times. I need you to listen anyway because you're wrong.
	...

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