Researchers from the Self-Regulated Learning Group, do Laboratório de Learning, Instruction, and Career Laboratory, Ana Rita Nunes, Tânia Moreira, Armanda Pereira, Cleia Zanatta, Luísa Mota Ribeiro e Pedro Rosário published an article titled " “Tools to Persevere Towards a Challenging Goal: Lessons Learned about Grit Along the Way of St. James” in the "International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage".
The study investigates factors contributing to increased perseverance and passion toward long-term goals, analyzing individuals' internal motivation to achieve meaningful goals over time, even when faced with difficulties and obstacles. The chosen context to unravel these processes of determination was the Way of St. James, a lengthy pilgrimage requiring participants' perseverance and passion to achieve their goals despite hardships.
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty-one individuals who completed the Way of St. James. Thematic analysis revealed three key themes contributing to participants' improved perseverance along the journey: behavioral tools (such as setting behavior and time management goals), emotional tools (such as enjoyment and learning, feeling belongingness), and cognitive tools (such as adopting different perspectives and using metacognitive knowledge).
These findings align with previous research and lifelong learning policies, suggesting that challenges and adversities are inevitable. However, the more autonomous and open individuals are to continue learning throughout their lives, the better prepared they will be to cope with environmental changes and pursue their meaningful goals.
"Grit is not merely 'walking' towards a goal for a long time. Grit entails demonstrating a strong interest or passion, maintaining commitment to a task despite experiencing setbacks."