Grit

[43.6N]

Grit, resilience, mental fortitude, toughness, composure. It has gone by many names.

Some people have it. Some don’t.
Some people say they do, only to fold when truly tested. Others surprise themselves when they discover what they are made of.

Is this something someone can train and cultivate?
If so, what do you do to give yourself that never-quit, mindset?

Backstory: I have a truly late season hunt coming this January. It will be on the Idaho/Wyoming border on an old unimproved pioneer homestead/dry farm. Surrounded by mountains and sage. Roads are sure to be snowed in. Expecting low-low temps and moderate-high winds. This will be self supported, snowshoe and xc ski hunt.

Younger me lived that life. Younger me thrived on that challenge. But years have passed, I have kids and a wife now. I’m worried I’ve gotten soft and weak as I’ve made a life worth living.

So, this is the first time in years that I am feeling doubt about my abilities due to the conditions. I’m getting that butterfly in my chest feeling that we all felt as kids. I’m looking at the challenge ahead, and feeling unsettled because I don’t want to discover that I can’t cut it.

So I’ll ask it again, fellas, where do you get your grit from. How do you grow it? To put it differently, how do you “lock in” when you have a challenge that both scares and excites you?

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

If getting back home safe to wife and kids isn’t near the forefront of your mindset, you aren’t a great father. Plain and simple. All about balance and risk analysis.

You aren’t “soft” now because you have these thoughts. You’re actually a heck of lot “tougher” in my opinion.

 

[43.6N]

If getting back home safe to wife and kids isn’t near the forefront of your mindset, you aren’t a great father. Plain and simple. All about balance and risk analysis.

You aren’t “soft” now because you have these thoughts. You’re actually a heck of lot “tougher” in my opinion.

Man thank you for those words. They hit me right in the feels.

 

[MNGrouser]

"Younger me lived that life." By my estimation, you've got it. Grit comes from having pushed the envelope a little. When I was in high school I was a fairly competitive wrestler. That is where my "grit" comes from. I have pushed the outer limits of what I thought I was capable of. When things get tough, I remember that the mind tires much faster than the body. Later in life I ran a marathon, Not because I have one of those long, lanky, runner's bodies. But when my legs started to fatigue, I relied on my training and reminded myself that I had way more in the tank than I thought.

Pushing yourself is where you find what you are made of.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Grit, resilience, mental fortitude, toughness, composure. It has gone by many names.

Some people have it. Some don’t.
Some people say they do, only to fold when truly tested. Others surprise themselves when they discover what they are made of.

Is this something someone can train and cultivate?
If so, what do you do to give yourself that never-quit, mindset?

Backstory: I have a truly late season hunt coming this January. It will be on the Idaho/Wyoming border on an old unimproved pioneer homestead/dry farm. Surrounded by mountains and sage. Roads are sure to be snowed in. Expecting low-low temps and moderate-high winds. This will be self supported, snowshoe and xc ski hunt.

Younger me lived that life. Younger me thrived on that challenge. But years have passed, I have kids and a wife now. I’m worried I’ve gotten soft and weak as I’ve made a life worth living.

So, this is the first time in years that I am feeling doubt about my abilities due to the conditions. I’m getting that butterfly in my chest feeling that we all felt as kids. I’m looking at the challenge ahead, and feeling unsettled because I don’t want to discover that I can’t cut it.

So I’ll ask it again, fellas, where do you get your grit from. How do you grow it? To put it differently, how do you “lock in” when you have a challenge that both scares and excites you?

The average man’s brain isn’t fully developed until age 25. The last part to develop is our frontal lobes. That’s the part of the brain most responsible for long term thinking. It’s what causes us to stop being quite as reckless, to not be quite as “high risk, high reward” as we were.

As a Marine, I have always been in the awe of the reckless bravery displayed by 18-25 year old E-1s to E-5s and lieutenants. But the steady, resolute courage of the staff non-commissioned officers, CWOs, and captains is more worthy of respect. A man who thinks he is invincible and immortal can do some crazy things, but a man who knows he is neither invincible nor immortal is more worthy of deep respect. An E-7 on his fifth combat deployment (or more) is an amazing man. And the backbone of armies.

There’s nothing wrong about thinking about the consequences of your actions. It’s part of being a grownup. I’d still go on the hunt, but I perfectly understand the reluctance.

 

[43.6N]

The average man’s brain isn’t fully developed until age 25. The last part to develop is our frontal lobes. That’s the part of the brain most responsible for long term thinking. It’s what causes us to stop being quite as reckless, to not be quite as “high risk, high reward” as we were.

As a Marine, I have always been in the awe of the reckless bravery displayed by 18-25 year old E-1s to E-5s and lieutenants. But the steady, resolute courage of the staff non-commissioned officers, CWOs, and captains is more worthy of respect. A man who thinks he is invincible and immortal can do some crazy things, but a man who knows he is neither invincible nor immortal is more worthy of deep respect. An E-7 on his fifth combat deployment (or more) is an amazing man. And the backbone of armies.

There’s nothing wrong about thinking about the consequences of your actions. It’s part of being a grownup. I’d still go on the hunt, but I perfectly understand the reluctance.

Thanks for the great examples above Q.
And the hunt is 100% happening.

We (collectively) spend so much time and mental energy on this forum (and elsewhere) trying to perfect our gear and planning. Always seeking that technological or logistical edge that will give success.

I suppose when I originally posted I was hoping for a discussion on how to sharpen the “mental edge.”

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Thanks for the great examples above Q.
And the hunt is 100% happening.

We (collectively) spend so much time and mental energy on this forum (and elsewhere) trying to perfect our gear and planning. Always seeking that technological or logistical edge that will give success.

I suppose when I originally posted I was hoping for a discussion on how to sharpen the “mental edge.”

Knowing that I am mentally and physically prepared is my biggest source of strength. I know when I have been slacking off in some regard and the unreadiness that engenders helps keep me over my skis.

 

[Yoder]

Do things that really suck for no reason. Do them as often as possible. The colder, hotter, steeper, heavier, the better. There's a great episode of Huberman's podcast with Goggins where they talk about this. They actually can measure something in your brain by how much you do difficult things. The more you do, the more it grows and the easier it is. It's also a perishable skill. It kind of explains why it's so hard to get back to exercising after a long break.

 

[JFK]

There is a good book about this that I read recently It’s called The Comfort Crisis. Worth reading/listening to as it deals with this very topic. While I’d agree that getting home safe should be of great importance, a lot of people mentally and physically quit way, way before they are in any type of real danger.

 

[Pharmseller]

Grit is knowing that if you had to do it, you could.

Wisdom is knowing you don’t have to do it.

 

[43.6N]

There is a good book about this that I read recently It’s called The Comfort Crisis. Worth reading/listening to as it deals with this very topic. While I’d agree that getting home safe should be of great importance, a lot of people mentally and physically quit way, way before they are in any type of real danger.

I’m always up for a good book. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Billy Goat]

There's being full of piss and vinegar, and realizing you have something to live, or die for.

I don't think hunting is getting into those territories.

 

[Rich M]

For me you just need to take less “chances”. Carry some additional survival gear and dont push as hard as younger you.

Hunt smarter not harder, maybe accept the first good one instead of looking for “el whoppo”. You are going for the hunt, then hunt & kill.

Or if you prefer, stay home. There is no shame in that. Do stuff w the kids and fill your heart w joy.

Up to you. No wrong answer.

 

[TandKHunting]

The grit you had when you were young, dumb, and reckless is still there. You are just older, wiser, and more cautious now.

As long as you prepare for the weather with proper clothing, sleeping attire, food, water, and emergency plans and devices you will be fine.

The 7 P's I learned in the Marine Corps always helps me stay focused. Proper Pre Planning - Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

 

[IdahoElk]

You live in Idaho, you can do this!

 

[shwacker]

As I get older, I increasingly embrace the beauty and curiosity of adversity. In hunting the level of awareness required and immersion in the real world draws me deeper. Doing hard things requires support, experience, and patience. "Toughing it out" is nothing in the face of thriving in the same adversity. Many people are able to deal with the bare physical discomfort better as we age because we are in it all the time. Goggins has nothing on your average 80 year old!

 

[Poser]

Do hard, ambitious things in the mountains frequently. Occasionally, you'll get too ambitious, maybe even greedy. On long enough of a timeline, S. will most likely hit the fan in some capacity or another. Hang out with other people that also enjoy doing hard, ambitious pursuits and have catalogues of S. hitting the fan misadventures.

While some people seem to inherently have more grit than others, some people also acquire it from scratch.
Either way, you have to maintain your baseline -don't use it, you're going to lose it. You may have more grit than you would had you never developed it in the first place, but its certainly not what it once was if you haven't been regularly testing it.

Enjoy it. Thrive in it. Laugh at yourself while you're doing it. But don't be stupid.

 

[43.6N]

You live in Idaho, you can do this!

Hell yeah!

 

[43.6N]

As I get older, I increasingly embrace the beauty and curiosity of adversity. In hunting the level of awareness required and immersion in the real world draws me deeper. Doing hard things requires support, experience, and patience. "Toughing it out" is nothing in the face of thriving in the same adversity. Many people are able to deal with the bare physical discomfort better as we age because we are in it all the time. Goggins has nothing on your average 80 year old!

What a profound perspective. “Embracing the curious beauty of adversity!”

I’m going to be chewing on that one for a minute…

 

[KyleR1985]

Be physically, mentally, and emotionally uncomfortable. Your comfort zone will kill you.