And I want to be clear

This isn't just some vague platitude about building character

In recent years

we've actually been seeing a growing body of research that shows

that skills like resilience and conscientiousness

can be just as important to your success as your test scores or even your IQ

For instance, West Point cadets

who scored high on things like grit and determination

were more likely to complete basic training than those who ranked high on things like

class rank, SAT scores, and physical fitness

So what we're seeing is that if you're willing to dig deep

if you're willing to pick yourself up when you fall,

if you're willing to work and work until your weaknesses become your strengths

then you'll develop a set of skills

that you can mold and apply to any situation you encounter

any job you might have, any crisis you might confront

But you've got to make that choice

Who are you gonna be?

And then once you answer that question, I want you to answer a second question

And that is, how are you gonna take those skills and experiences that you've gained

and use them to serve others?