Grit Is Fuel

Originally a thread on X/Twitter:

In the rollercoaster world of startups, grit isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the fuel that propels companies through the inevitable tough times that precede success. But while everyone thinks they know what grit is, most definitions aren’t precise enough to be useful. Courage? Conscientiousness? Perseverance? They all miss the mark.

What follows is a tangible and actionable definition that I’ve found to be quite useful when advising Founders:

Grit = Vision + Control

Vision: A crystal-clear image of a future state that you’re willing to move mountains to make real

Control: An unshakeable belief that your actions can and will bring that vision to life

This isn’t just semantics – it’s a framework that can be the difference between throwing in the towel and breakthrough success.

A quick break down:

Vision is your North Star

It’s not just a vague notion of “success” or “disruption.” It’s a vivid, almost tangible future that you can practically taste. For a startup Founder, it might be seeing their app on the home screen of millions of phones and transform how people interact with money. Or it could be a complete re-imagining of how large enterprises discover and procure critical raw materials for their businesses. This vision needs to be so compelling that it’s the first thing you think about when you wake up and the last thing that you think about when you’re heading to bed.

Control

But vision without action is just daydreaming. That’s where Control comes in. It’s the deep-seated conviction that your actions can bend reality towards your vision. It’s not blind optimism. It’s a pragmatic belief in cause and effect. It’s an unwavering belief that if you do X, Y will happen, and that will get you closer to Z. This belief in control is why so many startup Founders are optimistic and confident.

For a startup Founder, this framework of grit is invaluable. When Investors are skeptical, when a product launch flops, when a key hire backs out at the last minute — these are examples of situations when grit becomes a secret weapon.

And as an Investor/Advisor to many startups, here’s how I typically suggest Founders should leverage this framework:

1. Regularly revisit and refine your vision. Make it so vivid and exciting that it’s impossible to ignore. Share it relentlessly with your Team, your Investors, your Customers. Let it infuse every decision and every action.

2. Focus on what you can control. The market might be fickle, regulations might change, competitors might emerge. But your response to these challenges is entirely within your control. Break down your vision into actionable steps and attack them with unwavering determination.

3. Celebrate small wins that align with your vision. Each step forward, no matter how small, is proof that your actions are having an impact. This reinforces your sense of control and fuels your grit.

4. Surround yourself with “grit amplifiers” – team members and Advisors who believe in your vision and reinforce your sense of control. Their belief can be contagious and invaluable during tough times.

5. Develop a “grit ritual” – a personal practice that reconnects you with your vision and sense of control when things get tough. It could be revisiting your original pitch deck, spending extra time on an Investor update or calling your most enthusiastic customer.

But here’s a crucial caveat: Grit isn’t about blindly sticking to a failing venture. It’s not about ignoring reality or pushing forward when all signs point to “abandon ship.” True grit involves being brutally honest about whether your actions can actually impact the outcome.

There’s a fine line between determination and delusion. The grittiest entrepreneurs know when to pivot, when to radically change course, and even when to shut it all down and start fresh. It’s about being realistic about the chances that your actions can truly bridge the gap between your current reality and your vision.

Some of the most successful entrepreneurs have multiple “failures” under their belt. But they had the grit to learn, adapt, and try again, often with a refined vision and a stronger sense of what they could control.

In the end, grit (defined as Vision + Control) is essential to success. It’s what will keep you going when everyone else has written you off. It’s what will help you see opportunities where others see obstacles. And it’s what will ultimately separate the Startups that make headlines from those that become cautionary tales.

Grit on, and may your vision become reality!