It’s not everyday you receive a grant for $830,958. But this past week my colleague and friend Steve and I finalized a grant to build out our theoretical framework for the creation and testing of AI algorithms that can identify manipulated media.
I write this post to yes, celebrate our achievement, but also to remind others (especially women) to persevere.
Steve and I have applied to countless grants – more than I wish to recall – before landing this one. Success doesn’t happen overnight. It never has. But because we live in a socially driven, picture-perfect world, it’s easy to misinterpret someone’s Twitter post, LinkedIn share or Instagram photo. We forget that we see what that person wants us to see. The good, the best, the pinnacle of happiness and achievement.
What you don’t see are the late nights. The rejections. The frustrations. The tears. The strain on family…loved ones… friendships.
The academic world is filled with rejections. I can’t say I’ve become numb, but what I can say is that when I’m working on a project and it’s been rejected, I dig deep and find a way to make it happen. I will always find a way for my passion projects to come to fruition.
I say all this to let you know – give you permission if you need it – if there is something you really want, go after it. Go after it with a fire in your belly. Go after it with all the passion that drove you to even think about starting your next project… your next book… your next paper… your next job… your ________(fill in the blank).
Face every opportunity with G.R.I.T. as Angela Lee Duckworth writes and speaks about:
Guts – Resilience – Initiative – Tenacity
If you have passion driving you, then over time you become resilient in order to achieve your goals and overcome the hard times.
P.S. Angela has some really cool info on her website… even a quick quiz to see your Grit score… below is mine…take the quiz, see your GRIT!
Gina Luttrell 
AMAZING!!!!