Don't have a passion? Now's the time to foster one

Why summer is the right time to feed your passion

In her New York Times best-selling book, "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance," psychologist Angela Duckworth argued that "grit" -- a combination of passion and perseverance -- is a key predictor of success.

After interviewing dozens of high achievers, from JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon to Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, Duckworth determined that they all shared the skill of focusing on one thing.

"When you look at gritty people in full maturity, adults, they do one thing really well. It's their passion," Duckworth explained on "CBS This Morning" Tuesday.

How true grit drives success

But what if you have yet to discover your passion?

"When you're a kid, you don't know what that passion will be, so you have to try things," Duckworth said.

Duckworth said now is the perfect season to "foster" a passion.

"Summer is a great time to try things," she said.

While this experimentation may not always lead to the discovery of a lifelong passion, Duckworth said it is crucial because it allows kids to "learn something."

How do you get started? Duckworth suggests following the "hard thing rule" she imposes on her two daughters.

"They have to do a hard thing. They have to do something that takes practice and try to get better, to fail and to get some feedback on that failure and to learn," Duckworth explained. "Over the summer they will continue to do something that takes practice and they have to finish it."

Duckworth invented the "grit scale" to measure traits that may be predictors of success. Take her quiz to find out if you have the grit it takes to be successful.

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