Old School Grit, Darrin Donnelly
Old School Grit, Darrin Donnelly
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Old School Grit
Times May Change, But the Rules for Success Never Do

Author: Darrin Donnelly

Narrator: Danny Campbell

Unabridged: 2 hr 22 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 08/29/2023


Synopsis

Psychologists tell us that the secret to a successful and happy life, more than anything else, is something called GRIT. Defined as the willpower to persevere with passion and a sense of purpose, research shows that grit is what matters most in whether a person succeeds or fails.

In this inspirational fable, Bob Flanagan represents the voice of old school grit. A legendary college basketball coach who thinks like John Wooden and talks like Mike Ditka, Flanagan is entering the final days of his coaching career. While his team tries to advance through the NCAA postseason tournament, Flanagan uses his last days as a coach to write his grandchildren letters revealing the rules for a successful and happy life. The rules of grit.

Though Coach Flanagan's letters are intended for his grandchildren, they might as well be for America in general. This is a man who lives by the old school code of faith, family, courage, and character; and he believes too many people have gone soft these days. They give up on their dreams too easily. They whine, complain, and pass the blame. They spend all their time and energy trying to avoid challenges instead of bucking up and powering through them. Flanagan's letters are a rallying cry for toughening up and building grit. His fifteen rules provide a clear path to success in any endeavor.

About Darrin Donnelly

Darrin Donnelly is a writer and entrepreneur. He and his products have been featured in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated, Fast Company magazine, and newspapers, websites, and radio outlets all over the world.

Based on his twenty years of experience as an entrepreneur, Donnelly believes that the most reliable and trustworthy advice for achieving your goals and improving your life is found in the world of sports. Though the business guru often has an incentive to portray a certain brand image that may not be completely accurate and the self-help guru can be tempted to make promises that are too good to be true, the achiever in sports can't fudge (or inherit) his results.

Donnelly's Sports for the Soul series of books are inspirational stories that teach essential life lessons. In the tradition of classics like Rocky and Field of Dreams, these stories are set in the world of sports and though the main characters in these books are usually coaches or athletes, they represent anyone with a big dream and the desire to be successful. The seasons and games they endure represent the seasons of life we all must go through when trying to master a new skill, achieve a new goal, or rebound from a setback. The lessons you learn in these books will show you how to overcome adversity and achieve your goals-whatever they may be.

Donnelly lives in Kansas City with his wife and three kids.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Brian on May 16, 2024

This is an inspiring fable about fifteen different rules to building GRIT. “The people who achieve the most success in life are not those who somehow find a way to avoid making mistakes or encountering obstacles. No, mistakes and obstacles are an unavoidable part of life. The most successful people a......more

Goodreads review by Jackson on May 02, 2019

Theme: Never give up and persevere through the toughest of obstacles. The book shows this by having a 10 seed advance through March Madness after losing their best player.......more

Goodreads review by Jeffrey on March 07, 2025

Lots of great information in this book. I enjoyed it. Below are some of my takeaways: The most successful people are not those who make achievement, rather those who continue even after failure. Happiness does not come from a life free of adversity, but from knowing you have what it takes to overcome......more

Goodreads review by Kaitlyn on April 08, 2020

On December 4, 2016, a book a part of the Sports for Soul series, Old School GRIT was released written by Darrin Donnelly. The book was written to help readers find their purpose and passions, build their self- confidence, explore the spiritual side of success, and become the best version of themsel......more

Goodreads review by Elizabeth on August 07, 2018

This was a Kindle Unlimited read I picked up. Grit is a buzzword in youth sports and education these days. Figured I'd play. There's perspective based strongly on anecdote that all rings fairly true. What coaches look for in players and what attitude players need to succeed is well covered. I agree w......more