Tools to Persevere Towards a Challenging Goal: Lessons Learned about Grit Along the Way of St. James

Authors

Ana Rita Nunes, Universidade do Minho, Research Centre on Psychology, PortugalFollow
Tânia Moreira, Universiade do Minho, Research Centre on Psychology, PortugalFollow
Armanda Pereira, Universidade do Minho, Research Centre on Psychology, PortugalFollow
Cleia Zanatta, Universidade Católica de Petrópolis, BrasilFollow
Luísa Mota Ribeiro, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Research Centre for Human Development, PortugalFollow
Pedro Rosário, Universidade do Minho, Research Centre on Psychology, PortugalFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4108-5322

Abstract

Understanding the factors contributing to increased perseverance and passion toward long-term goals is an ongoing research challenge. The present study explores the inner drive of individuals to achieve meaningful goals over time, despite setbacks and challenges. The scenario chosen to uncover grit processes was the Way of St. James, a long pilgrimage demanding participants’ perseverance and passion for achieving their goals, despite hardship. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty-one individuals completing the Way of St. James. Thematic analysis indicated three key themes contributing to improve the participants’ perseverance along the walk: behavioural tools (e.g., setting behavioural and time management goals), emotional tools (i.e., enjoyment and learning, belongingness), and cognitive tools (i.e., taking perspective, use of metacognitive knowledge). These findings are consistent with prior research and lifelong learning policies while suggesting that challenges and adversities are unavoidable; however, the more autonomous and open people are to continue learning over their lifespan, the more prepared they will be to cope with changes in the environment and to pursue their meaningful goals.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Nunes, Ana Rita; Moreira, Tânia; Pereira, Armanda; Zanatta, Cleia; Ribeiro, Luísa Mota; and Rosário, Pedro (2024) "Tools to Persevere Towards a Challenging Goal: Lessons Learned about Grit Along the Way of St. James," International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage: Vol. 11: Iss. 6, Article 4.
doi:https://doi.org/10.21427/6MSV-EY69
Available at: https://arrow.tudublin.ie/ijrtp/vol11/iss6/4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.21427/6MSV-EY69