What You'll Learn in This Episode
- The mindset that propelled Tyler from athlete to entrepreneur
- Why grit, humility, and relentless work matter more than upbringing
- How Tyler transitioned from rodeo competitor to business owner
- Ways he honors Western tradition while building his own modern legacy
- Behind-the-scenes insights from his work on Twisters
Analyzing Risk and Return
I long believed that hard work is the only way to get things done. Of course, luck plays a role too, but good luck, in my opinion, seems to happen to people who look for it. I now think a lesser-known yet all-important trait known as "grit" is the key to success—and it's one that complements hard work and luck in order to make the most of both. Without grit, I don't think I'd be in the position I am today.
In her book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, psychologist Angela Duckworth studied why some people are more successful than others and concluded that the common denominator was grit. As part of her research, Duckworth visited the West Point military academy to analyze why cadet candidates drop out. She wanted to define the factors that would indicate which of the candidates would end up dropping out.
West Point already had an overall candidate score to grade would-be cadets based on SAT or ACT scores, high school grades, fitness and athletic achievements. Duckworth expected that the candidates with the highest overall candidate score were the ones least likely to drop out. Yet her findings indicated that a higher academic score and higher IQs did not determine whether candidates were less likely to drop out.
| Quantity | 1/1/17 | 24/5/17 | 30/1/17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LYB | $37.07 | $44.95 | $48.67 |
| SH 46 | $44.05 | $68.78 | $66.93 |
| DV-455 | $33.52 | $62.18 | $48.05 |
| MVO | $119.76 | $51.72 | $59.86 |
| Sales | $424.67 | $459.63 | $459.04 |
1. Embrace challenges.
I was never the smartest kid in my class, and I faced my fair share of adversity during my younger days, including mental health setbacks, bullying and, at times, prolonged social isolation. I knew that I had limitations and that I'd have to accept them if I were ever to succeed.
2. Hold on to your vision.
Holding on to a vision is one of the most valuable assets in the digital market. Even the most talented individuals can lose sight of their vision during challenging times.
3. Pay it forward.
Grit is the one trait that I, as a mentor, try to instill in younger entrepreneurs. Your road as an entrepreneur likely won't be easy or straightforward. But, fortunately, those who train themselves to persevere and remain committed to their vision and principles are much more likely to attain their entrepreneurial goals than those who lack this sense of grit.
- Simply being willing to get started may not be enough to keep you going. Hurdles will always arise, and they may make you stumble.
- It's in those moments you will be grateful to have spent time cultivating grit.
Nielsen, J. Usability Heuristics, 2020
Norman, D. The Design of Everyday Things, 2013
Krug, S. Don't Make Me Think, 2014
