I’ve been reading Angela Duckworth’s book on grit and couldn’t help but think of Forrest from my favorite movie Forrest Gump.

According to Angela Duckworth, the definition of grit is the patience and perseverance towards a goal. An essential perquisite to grit is self-efficacy. Self efficacy is the belief in one’s capacity to accomplish a goal. Self — efficacy fuels grit which then brings progress towards the direction each of us are headed.

Forrest’s mom plays an instrumental role in building self-efficacy for Forrest. Even when the neighbors call him stupid or the principle denies him from attending that school, Forrest’s mom says “stupid is as stupid does.” Someone should be judged by their actions and not appearance. Despite his seemingly dense nature, Forrest never sees himself in a disadvantaged position.

This seed of self efficacy allows Forrest to run free from his leg braces, attend university on a football scholarship, and become a millionaire through his shrimping business.

The movie is known for capturing Forrest in the middle of world’s most iconic moments in history. Forrest inspires john legend’s imagine, survives the Vietnam war, becomes a ping pong champion, survives hurricane carmen and becomes an angel investor in Apple without even knowing.

Forrest takes all opportunities that is presented to him with good intentions. He never self-rejects or thinks too much about what others think. He doesn’t calculate the outcome or tries to find an easy way out. Forrest’s strong self-efficacy doesn’t make him afraid of the different chocolates he try. The chocolates in return gifts him with unexpected challenges and pleasant surprises.

Forrest is not shaken by failure or ecstatic about success which allows him to move forward doing the things that make his life rich.

Many of us put a cap on our abilities before even indulging into the experience. Perhaps it is from parents who are too busy fixing our flaws and fail to acknowledge our capabilities, or the overwhelming societal backlash that makes it hard to feel comfortable in our own skin.

Parents should help their children grow self-efficacy, and we as adults should make an intentional effort to bring back our child like wonder when anything seemed possible.