Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did your understanding of "talent" versus "effort" evolve as you read this book? Have you read other works exploring similar themes, such as Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers, with its discussion of the 10,000-hour rule?

2. What was your initial reaction to Duckworth's formula "talent × effort = skill; skill × effort = achievement"? Did this mathematical approach make the concept more or less compelling?

3. The book opens with Duckworth's father telling her that she is "no genius." How does this personal anecdote set the tone for the book's exploration of achievement?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Think about a time when you demonstrated grit in pursuing a goal. How did the four elements that Duckworth identifies (interest, practice, purpose, and hope) contribute to your experience?

2. Which of the book's many personal stories resonates most strongly for you? What aspects of that particular narrative connect with your own experiences?