Grit—defined as persistence and passion despite obstacles—has received much attention, yet books on this theme often idolize achievements at the expense of mental health. For instance, by the time Ernest Hemingway earned the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954, he had demonstrated true grit by enduring an injury of war, witnessing the Spanish Civil War, and writing 15 groundbreaking volumes of literature. Yet by 1961, he had divorced three women and died by suicide.

This book shifts the paradigm around grit away from accomplishments to a far more attainable and pleasing end: life satisfaction, which results in a deep, abiding, and overarching sense of contentment with life. A Practical Approach to Life Satisfaction argues that constantly striving to pursue accolades is more likely to drive individuals into the ground instead of leading them to fulfillment. However, when grit works together with emotional intelligence, it can yield marked improvements in life satisfaction.

Written in an engaging style, this book is an essential resource for teachers, parents, and others who shape the next generation. It weaves academic content with personal narratives and reflective questions so you can hone the tool of grit with emotional intelligence to achieve life satisfaction.