Governor Greg Abbott: The Determination to Chart His Own Path
“Deep within each of us lies the ability to conquer our circumstances.” —Greg Abbott
When I first considered individuals, businesses, and historical events to feature as Texas achievers or achievements, Governor Greg Abbott was one of the first to come to mind. Several years ago, I read his autobiography, Broken But Unbowed,* and admired the strength of character that made his achievements possible.
Achievement, TX, aims to acknowledge and celebrate achievements, look at specific traits and characteristics of Texas achievers and achievements, and inspire readers to pursue their goals and dreams. Some articles will tell entire stories, others will focus on a specific aspect.
This article focuses on Governor Abbott's very Texan virtues of determination, grit, hard work, and gratitude, which are best visible in the story he tells in his book.
[Some readers might protest based on their political beliefs. If that’s you, please remember the purpose of this publication (see here and here). I do hope you’ll keep reading.]
Governor Abbott’s story offers invaluable lessons, particularly his unwavering commitment to hard work and his determination to chart his own path, which underpin his remarkable achievements. His story is a testament to the Texan spirit of resilience and grit, which resonates with all who call Texas home.
We all face hardships—some major, some less so. Regardless, hardships can hit us hard and discourage us from pursuing our goals.
I hope my overcoming obstacles can be useful to your life challenges. You have a calling. You have dreams for a better life. There's no reason you can't fulfill those aspirations. (p. 243)
I found Governor Abbott’s story incredibly inspiring, as inspiring as Texan achievements can be. On the 10-year anniversary of his first inauguration as governor of the great state of Texas, I hope you will find it inspiring, too.
* All page numbers in parentheses refer to the hardcover version of Broken But Unbowed, unless stated otherwise. The quote in the subtitle is on page 109.
Gregory Wayne Abbott was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, on November 13, 1957. He later grew up in Duncanville, where he graduated from high school. His classmates, recognizing his potential, voted him “Most Likely to Succeed” (Wilson, 2014).
In 1981, he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of Texas at Austin. In UT Austin, he met his future wife, Cecilia Phalen, and they got married the same year. Later in life, they adopted their daughter, Audrey (Abbott, 2023). In 1984, he earned his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School (2014).
On July 14, 1984, as he was preparing to take the Texas bar exam, he and a friend decided to go for a jog as a break from studying. During their run, an oak tree damaged by a storm fell and struck Abbott. The accident left him paralyzed from the waist down.
Despite facing a significant challenge through no fault of his own, Abbott passed the bar the following year and began working in private practice at Butler & Binion, where he remained until 1992.
From 1993 to 1996, he embarked on his public service career as a state trial court judge in the 129th District Court in Harris County (Greg Abbott, n.d.). During this time, the Texas Association of Civil Trial and Appellate Specialists named him “Trial Judge of the Year” (About Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, 2013).
In 1996, he was appointed to the Texas Supreme Court by then-Governor George W. Bush. He successfully ran for reelection to this position twice—in 1996 and 1998. In 2001, he resigned to run for Texas attorney general. He became the 50th Texas attorney general and was reelected twice, becoming the longest-serving Texas attorney general (2002-2015). During his tenure, Abbott initiated a total of 34 lawsuits against the federal government (p. 115).
In 2014, Abbott successfully ran for governor and became the 48th governor of Texas on January 20, 2015, when he was sworn in. He was reelected in 2018 and 2022. His wife Cecilia became the first Hispanic First Lady of the state of Texas.
In going on to become a Texas Supreme Court justice, state attorney general, and now governor of Texas, I realized that our lives are not defined by how we are challenged. Instead, they are determined by how we respond to life’s challenges. (p. 110)
During his time as governor, Texas continued to attract more people and businesses from across the country and around the world, all looking for opportunities for success and a better, more affordable life. In 2024, Site Selection magazine gave the state the recognition of having the “Top Business Climate in America” for the 2nd year in a row (Texas Named Top Business Climate, 2024); Chief Executive Magazine has named Texas the “Best State for Business” for 20 years in a row (Texas Named Best State For Business, 2024). Texas also leads in job creation (Texas Leads Nation in Annual Job Creation, 2024) and is home to 3.2 million small businesses (Abbott, 2024, p. 3). These are just a few examples of the incredible success of the Lone Star State.
In 2024, Governor Greg Abbott was named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people (Greg Abbott, 2024).
Greg Abbott’s story shows that with determination, grit, perseverance, hard work, and a positive attitude, one can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and accomplish one’s goals. Governor Abbott’s story is a true Texas story of achievement.
Values: Rule of Law, Independence, Texas & America, Faith & God, Family
Virtues: Hard Work, Determination, Grit, Perseverance, Can-Do Attitude, Gratitude, Humor
Determination and Grit: “Broken But Unbowed”
Law Career and the Constitution: Rule of Law
Greg Abbott had set his mind on a law career.
His autobiography reflects a deep reverence for the Constitution and a strong respect for the rule of law: “The rule of law is what makes America unique” (p. 91). Throughout the book, he discusses his concerns that Americans no longer read or understand the Constitution, leading to major government accountability problems. He shares his vision for addressing the problems he sees, and his love for both his country and his state.
In 1984, after earning his Juris Doctor, Abbott was committed to passing the Texas Bar exam. A law firm in Houston had already hired him. The future he wanted to build with his wife was within reach.
His determination to pursue that career path was likely a significant factor in his overcoming the trauma from his accident and the disruption of his plans and life. In the dedication section of his book, he thanks his mother for “instill[ing] in me the drive and determination to never give up.” And give up, he did not.
As he was about to embark on a successful career and life with his wife Cecilia, everything changed in a second—his plans became uncertain, his confidence was shattered, and pain took over for weeks—along with surgeries and months of rehabilitation. He faced a new reality. However, give up, he did not.
While in the hospital, as soon as the pain became bearable, Abbott began to focus on how to get back to pursuing his life goals. He read and returned to his passion for Founding documents, notably the Declaration of Independence. The concept in the Declaration, he wrote, “that people have the power to declare their own independence … was exactly what I needed” (p. 24).
Just a year after his accident, Abbott successfully passed the bar exam. In just one year, he combined recovery, rehabilitation, and the learning necessary for a new way of living while also getting ready to pass the bar exam successfully.
You might remember from a previous article on grit how Angela Duckworth explained that high achievers possessed a combination of passion and perseverance.
Abbott’s drive to pursue his calling was more potent than what had happened to him. There was no stopping him—he wasn’t going to give up.
Focusing on Action, What He Could Control, and Not Letting Circumstances Take Over: Independence
In his autobiography, Abbott vividly recounts the second that changed his life, the fear it created, and the physical pain, doubt, and uncertainty for his future that ensued (pp. 6-14). For those who have not experienced something similar, it can be difficult to fully grasp the shock this must have caused.
However, the reader can witness the evolution of an eventually unyielding spirit: among the fear, uncertainty, and doubt, the first instinct, despite the crushing pain, is to focus on holding on—the only thing he can do while waiting for the doctors and medicine to improve his condition. “Life was distilled down to a fundamental focus: I simply needed to survive physically … another minute, one more minute” (p. 13).
Individuals go through distinct emotional stages when confronted with life-altering events, including denial or shock, frustration or anger, depression, acceptance, and finally, hopefully, commitment. Initially, Abbot expressed frustration at doctors’ assurance that he would not be able to walk again: “I was extremely upset, not only about the diagnosis, but also because of the clarity of the verdict” (p. 14). Then, the grieving process happened, and acceptance followed: “My focus became: ‘Okay, here’s the situation, this is what we need to do’” (p. 14). Eventually, Abbott decided not to focus on finding a way to walk again. “I had other battles to fight,” he wrote. “I had a choice. I could fight against that reality or I could begin devoting my energy toward the future. … I decided to accept my circumstance and do as much as possible with it” (p. 17)
Here again, we can see determination but also a focus on what he could control and a desire to reclaim his independence rather than wait for others to give it back to him. To quote him, he “was ready to roll” (p. 30).
I've gotten pretty good at popping wheelies, negotiating obstacles, and overcoming challenges in my wheelchair. It's second nature now, just like a person walking up steps without thinking about all the intricate motions involved. (p. 18)
Perseverance, Hard Work, and a Positive Mindset: “Yes, I Think I Can”
Return to Work: Independence
Abbott made a firm decision not to allow circumstances to alter his life to the extent of abandoning his dreams (p. 1). He moved forward instead. One way to reclaim his independence was to provide for himself and his family while pursuing the career he was interested in—his passion. So, he went to work for the law firm that had hired him before his accident and supported him throughout.
One of my favorite passages in the book is when he returns to work after his accident (p.26). The reason is that it illustrates a quintessential aspect of the American ethos: I can succeed by consistently working hard(er) and not giving up. Or, to put it another way: American work ethic and Texan grit. Not only that, but Abbott decided to redouble his efforts: He arrived before anyone else, left after everyone else, and saw his effort as a way to thank the law firm for helping him and his wife during his recovery.
Although I'd always been a hard worker, I suppose the fact that I began my law career in a wheelchair made me extra diligent. Everything from getting to the office to retrieving files just took more time. Besides that, I wanted to prove to the partners in the firm, and my peers, that they made the right decision in hiring and supporting me. (p. 34)
While these character traits, like muscle, might have developed further after his accident, he already possessed them, and he generally approached life with a can-do attitude. After all, he was a competitive runner and considered running under the Houston sun a “break” from studying (p. 3). Hard work was not something he saw as a necessary evil; on the contrary, he seemed to seek and enjoy it:
Whether it was athletics, mowing lawns in the summer, or hauling steel in a forge factory, I'd always felt a physical, mental, and emotional renewal from hard work. (p. 6)
Similarly, when he started rehabilitation, he described it as “finally, an opportunity to work out again!” (p. 15)
America and Texas: Independent and Sovereign
I believe Abbott told his story in good part to inspire readers to take action when they encounter problems. His positive attitude says, “I think I can”—and so can you (pp. 51-73). Surviving his accident, pursuing his dreams, achieving his goals, enforcing the rule of law—Abbott’s success is partly due to his belief that he can.
In addition, throughout the book, it is evident that he cares deeply about America and Texas, and that their history has inspired him.
The principle of charting a course to overcome challenges has permeated our country from its very beginning. It's the crux of our Declaration of Independence, which I read and reread during my hospital stay. (p. 110)
The next step after overcoming the challenges he faced was to help Americans and Texans overcome theirs as well.
His regained independence finds a parallel in the independence of the U.S. and Texas’ sovereignty.

Gratitude: “Surrounded by Extraordinary People”
Faith and Family
“[M]y commitment to God and to my family” are Abbott’s higher priorities (p. 174).
In his book, he highlights how his unwavering spirit and strength of character were paramount to his success, but it never sounds like self-congratulation. Rather, he shares his story to inspire his readers. Instead, he credits God’s Grace for helping him and his wife through difficult times (pp. 17; 174).
I've always felt a deep and abiding connection with God. I've never known what He had planned. But I did know it was my duty to try my best to follow Him. (p. 33)
Undoubtedly, Abbott found strength in his faith, which was likely a significant element supporting both his character and recovery.
He regularly refers to his mother, wife, and daughter, “whose love and support inspired me to overcome life’s challenges” (Dedication). Abbott also makes it very clear that his wife's support was integral to their shared achievements. He describes his wife as “strongest when she is offering support” (p. 25).
Whenever you see someone who has achieved some level of success, you often find they have been surrounded by extraordinary people. Whatever success I've had is due in large measure to the people around me, whether it was my supportive parents or a guiding scoutmaster, an inspiring coach or teacher, caring doctors and nurses, encouraging colleagues, my remarkable staff, or my loving wife. (p. 40)
Texans’ Friendliness
Finally, Abbott expresses gratitude toward the friendliness of Texans—a trait well-known to belong to those from the Lone Star State. For example, he and his wife were pleasantly surprised to find out that the management of their apartment complex had made their building accessible by wheelchair after his accident.
Although the law firm that had hired him before his accident could have terminated his contract since Abbott had not even started working when his accident happened, not only did they keep him on staff, put him on the payroll, and give him time to heal, but the firm’s lawyers also helped his wife navigate the healthcare system and support her the best they could in that time of trial (p. 16).
Amazingly, and testament to his character, Abbott never seemed to feel entitled to the help or sympathy he received. On the contrary, he consistently highlights acts of kindness and support through surprise and gratitude. Regarding his first employer, the law firm, he recognized that “they could’ve done without me” (p. 16); he clarifies that Cecilia’s always supporting him is “testament to her character, not my charm” (p. 25); and finally, he certainly does not forget to thank the doctors, surgeons, nurses, and rehabilitation specialists who helped him reclaim his independence.
I was reminded once again why I appreciate the Texas spirit—a special, and big, part of the American spirit. The assistance I received was just what I needed to regroup and focus. (p. 29)
Conclusion
Greg Abbott showed that with determination, grit, perseverance, hard work, and gratitude, you can overcome challenges and achieve your most ambitious goals. After successfully starting his career in private practice, he became a state trial court judge, then a Texas Supreme Court Justice, the longest-serving Texas attorney general, and the governor of Texas.
Perhaps his greatest achievement is best visible through a speech given by his daughter Audrey, who explained how much she admires her dad and how he “represents the real meaning of the word courage” to her (p. 244).
I haven’t had the privilege of meeting our state’s governor, but I have seen him talk in public many times. What always stood out to me was his positive, we-can-and-we-will attitude and his humor. His book provides several examples of the latter, including his Halloween costumes (p. 78) or his meeting President Obama just after filing a lawsuit against him while transitioning from attorney general to governor of Texas (pp. 86-89).
I sincerely hope that if you have read so far, you will read Governor Abbott’s book. There is much more in it than I could recount here; it is a truly inspirational story of Texas achievement.
My life was broken, but I remained unbowed. I fought through the pain because I believed restoration was possible. (p. 229)
Sources
Abbott, G. (2016). Broken But Unbowed: The Fight to Fix a Broken America. Threshold Editions.
Abbott, G. (2023, November 17). Gov. Abbott: Adoption has been a blessing for my family and many other Texans. Dallas Morning News. https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2023/11/18/greg-abbott-adoption-blessing/
Abbott, G. (2024). 2024 Report to the People of Texas. Office of the Texas Governor. https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/press/2024_Report_to_the_People_of_Texas.pdf
About Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. (2013, 3 September). Attorney General of Texas. https://web.archive.org/web/20131017181451/https://www.oag.state.tx.us/agency/agga_bio.shtml
Greg Abbott. (n.d.). Ballotpedia. https://ballotpedia.org/Greg_Abbott
Greg Abbott. (2024, April 17). Time Magazine. https://time.com/6965199/greg-abbott/
Texas Named Best State for Business for Record-Breaking 20th Year. (2024, April 24). Office of the Texas Governor. https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/texas-named-best-state-for-business-for-record-breaking-20th-year
Texas Named Top Business Climate in America for 2nd Year in a Row. (2024, November 1). Office of the Texas Governor. https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/texas-named-top-business-climate-in-america-for-2nd-year-in-a-row
Vanderbilt University Law School. (2014, November 5). Greg Abbott '84 elected governor of Texas. Vanderbilt University. https://law.vanderbilt.edu/greg-abbott-84-elected-governor-of-texas/
Wilson, R. (2014, October 30). The likely next governor of Texas is full of Lone Star swagger. Don’t be surprised if he runs for president. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2014/10/30/the-likely-next-governor-of-texas-is-full-of-lone-star-swagger-dont-be-surprised-if-he-runs-for-president/