#6: Uncommon GRIT: What it Really Means and How To Grow it in Your Own Life

I will never forget the moment I realized I wanted more connection with the women I was working with than the walls of a counseling office allowed.

In 2015, after leaving my corporate job, earning my Master’s Degree in Psychology and Counseling, and stepping fully into the work God had placed on my heart, I began practicing as a counselor. Helping people had always been a deep part of who I was. I wanted to walk women through their thought patterns, limiting beliefs, and internal struggles, and help them reach a place where they felt confident stepping into the life they were created for.

I loved the work. And yet, over time, I sensed something was missing.

As a counselor, the relationship stays inside the session. There are boundaries that matter and protect the work, but I found myself wanting to cheer women on outside the office. I wanted to know how they were doing in the middle of real life. I wanted deeper connection. I wanted to truly do life together.

That was the moment I realized God was leading me again. Toward something new. Something more relational.

I did not find it immediately. But when I did, it lit something in me that I have never been able to ignore.

In 2019, Uncommon Grit was born. From the beginning, the mission has remained the same. To help women understand who they are, what they want, and how to live the life God has called them to.

This was true when I was working with one woman. It is true now as I coach women one on one and lead group experiences each year.

Words matter deeply to me. The language we use shapes how we see ourselves and how we live. When I was naming this work, I did not want something trendy or vague. I wanted words that carried weight and meaning.

Uncommon means remarkable, rare, and exceptional.
Grit means courage in the face of adversity.

Together, they describe the kind of woman I believe we are each becoming, regardless of season, background, or circumstance.

We live in a world that constantly tries to shape us into who we should be. Messages telling us we are not enough, not doing it right, or should be living differently are everywhere. Over time, it becomes easy to give up the power that is already inside of us and live from pressure instead of truth.

You have probably heard the word grit before. It is often used in personal development spaces, but rarely explained in a way that actually helps you live it out. We are told to have grit, to push through, to be brave. But without clarity or tools, those words can feel hollow.

Because my own life and work have been shaped by grit, I want you to understand what it truly means and how you can begin growing it in your own life.

What having grit really means

To me, grit means courage in the face of adversity.

Courage is not the absence of fear. It is choosing to move forward even when something feels uncertain or uncomfortable. While many people say “just do it scared,” that advice often falls flat when you are facing decisions that impact your life, family, or future.

Simply telling someone to be brave is not enough.

What actually builds courage is understanding your thoughts and learning how to work with them instead of being controlled by them.

How to grow your grit

The first thing I always encourage women to do is to pay attention to tension.

If something makes you feel anxious, unsettled, or unsure, your instinct may be to avoid it. To distract yourself. To push it down and keep going.

Here is a truth that changed my life.

The very thing creating tension in your life is often the thing worth paying attention to.

That tension is information.

Instead of silencing your thoughts, slow down and listen to them. That inner voice may not be serving you yet, but awareness is the first step toward change. When you begin noticing what you are thinking, you gain the ability to reframe it.

This is not about ignoring fear or pretending it does not exist. It is about choosing thoughts that serve you rather than trap you.

Your thoughts shape your actions.
Your actions shape your results.

When your thoughts change, your decisions follow. Over time, this builds confidence and steadiness, even when things feel uncomfortable.

I experienced this firsthand years ago when counseling was first placed on my heart. It did not make sense at the time. I was newly married, starting a family, and considering graduate school in the middle of it all.

The thoughts came quickly. You do not have time. You are too busy. Maybe later.

Instead of turning away, I leaned in. I paid attention to the tension. And that choice led me here, writing this today.

There is so much goodness already inside of you. Courage is not something you lack. It is something you grow by listening, responding, and choosing truth over fear.

If you are looking for tools to help you do that, you are in the right place.

Whether that be through simply following along on Instagram, joining the Uncommon GRIT email list or taking it a step further and joining the waitlist for group coaching, you are welcome here. 🤍