“I can’t do this. It’s too hard,” said the young mother raising a difficult toddler. “I’m so stiff with this chronic arthritis,” said the daily walker as she laced her walking shoes. “I feel like I can’t go on. I’m so lost,” cried the new widower after receiving news that his wife had died. “I don’t feel like going to school today, Mommy,” said the second grader as her Mom helped her dress.

But the young mother did do it and raised a first-generation college graduate by never giving up on her son. The daily walker lived a long, full life by never giving into her arthritis. The new widower grieved and ultimately went on with his life, finding new enjoyment in his children and grandchildren. The second grader went to school each day and grew up to lead thousands of employees in a big corporation.

Grit did it. Grit.

Grit goes through, not around, obstacles. Grit puts one foot in front of the other when times are tough. Grit doesn’t stay in bed when there’s a full day to live. Grit does not opt out.

Grit doesn’t quit.

In this era of gadgets and technology that bring us ease, convenience, and cyber speed, grit has an old-fashioned stuffiness to it. These days, we expect things to be easy.

But much of life isn’t easy. School isn’t easy. Work isn’t easy. Relationships aren’t easy. Raising children and managing illnesses are not easy. Who said it was supposed to be?

It takes grit.

Backbone. Guts. Fortitude. Spunk.

So, get up out of that bed and go slay some dragons. Go to work when you don’t feel like it. Get on that plane when duty calls. Take time to grieve and then push through the loss of that divorce and rebuild.

And above all, mix your grit with your dreams. Abundance and joy will be yours.

Grit gets it done.

Previously published on the Three Star Leadership blog, hosted by Wally Bock.