Have you ever failed at something so miserably that the thought of attempting to do it again was the last thing you wanted to do?

These days, a lot of people have been talking about grit. What it is, why it's good, and how to get it. The news is filled with stories of personal achievement driven by sheer determination and the will to win. Angela Duckworth's Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance argues that grit is often a more effective attribute in achieving goals than talent or IQ.

At the same time, true grit--persistence and passion--is clearly something we want both for our kids and for ourselves. Fortunately, the life-skills that make us gritty can be learned and practiced.

If I had to pick one trait that is key to achieving nearly anything in life it is this. Perseverance. That's it. It's the one thing that sets achievers apart from those who complain that they aren't reaching their dreams.