Grit: An important characteristic in learners.

Grit, or the perseverance and passion for long-term goals, has been associated with successful pursuits in academics, competitions, and professions outside of pharmacy. The fortitude needed to withstand tremendous physical, mental, and emotional stressors may be better predicted by grit than other factors. In those who demonstrate grit, a combination of factors may reflect academic achievement. It appears that achievement results when talent and effort are combined, with particular attention being paid to effort, as it is a function of the direction, duration, and intensity of a person's actions toward a goal. It appears that grit may be a good discriminating factor when evaluating individuals in other professions. The objective of this short commentary is to provide an introduction to the non-pharmacy literature surrounding grit and to suggest its applications in pharmacy.