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Marty Seligman
Will Shortz is a famous puzzle-maker who works as the crossword editor for The New York Times. Duckworth explains how Shortz’s mother, a writer and crossword fan, consistently supported his childhood interest in the field. She uses Shortz’s early life as an example of how people are more likely to develop the strong long-term passion necessary for grit if they are allowed to pursue their interests in a supportive environment as adolescents.
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Will Shortz Character Timeline in Grit
The timeline below shows where the character Will Shortz appears in Grit. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 6: Interest
At college graduation ceremonies, speakers like Will Shortz and Jeff Bezos often say things like, “follow your passion,” as do the high-grit people...
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...case studies, Duckworth turns to the commencement speakers she mentioned, New York Times crossword editor Will Shortz and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Shortz’s mother, a writer who loved crosswords, bought him endless...
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