The effectiveness of effort

In a small town, there was a man named Jerry who had always dreamed of running a marathon. He wasn’t exactly in peak physical condition, but he was determined to achieve his goal. Jerry signed up for a local marathon and began his training with gusto.

Every morning, Jerry would lace up his sneakers and hit the pavement. He started with short runs, gradually increasing his distance. His friends were skeptical, often teasing him about his less-than-athletic physique, but Jerry was unfazed. He was committed to his goal.

On the day of the marathon, Jerry was nervous but excited. As the race began, he found himself surrounded by seasoned runners. He started at a steady pace, determined to finish the race, no matter how long it took.

About halfway through, Jerry began to feel the strain. His legs were heavy, and his energy was waning. Just as he was contemplating giving up, he spotted a sign held by a spectator that read, “Pain is temporary, but quitting lasts forever.”

Inspired, Jerry pushed on, determined to finish the race. As he approached the final stretch, he could see the finish line in the distance. With every ounce of effort, he crossed the line, collapsing into the arms of cheering friends.

Though he finished close to last, Jerry was elated. He had done it! His friends, who had doubted him, were now full of admiration for his determination and effort.

Effort is not just about the finish line; it’s about the journey and the determination to keep going, even when the going gets tough. All the so-called “secrets of success” will not work unless you do.

Having run 10 marathons in my lifetime, I know that Jerry experienced the “marathon of the mind.” Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged people who kept on working.

Fitness guru Jillian Michaels said: “It’s not about perfect. It’s about effort. And when you bring that effort every single day, that’s where transformation happens.”

Effort at the individual level is crucial for personal success and career growth. Putting in effort allows you to hone your skills and become more proficient in your role. Consistent effort leads to mastery over time.

It’s also about reputation. Colleagues and superiors notice when someone consistently goes above and beyond. This can lead to more opportunities, promotions and increased trust within the organization.

Effort builds resilience. When you push through challenges and setbacks, you develop a stronger ability to handle future obstacles. Success is a ladder you cannot climb with your hands in your pockets.

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day-in and day-out,” said author Robert Collier.

Effort is equally important when it comes to teams and organizations. Effort is the fuel that powers both personal and organizational success. It’s the difference between simply doing a job and excelling at it. Here’s why:

• Culture of excellence: When team members see each other putting in effort, it creates a culture of excellence and motivates everyone to perform at their best.

• Collaboration: Effort in communication and collaboration leads to better teamwork. It ensures that everyone is aligned and working toward common goals.

• Innovation: A team that is willing to put in the effort to explore new ideas and solutions is more likely to innovate and stay competitive in the market.

• Customer satisfaction: Ultimately, the effort put into delivering quality products or services translates into higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.

We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort. You can’t have a million-dollar dream with a minimum-wage work ethic.

Here’s a final story to illustrate my point: During football practice, the high school coach was putting his players through calisthenics: pushups, situps and jumping jacks were followed by the bicycle where players laid on their backs, legs up in the air and moving them as if riding a bike.

The coach asked one motionless player, “Is there a problem?” 

“No problem,” the player responded. “I’m coasting.”

Mackay’s Moral: I CAN is 100 times more important than IQ.

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Harvey Mackay is the author of the New York Times bestseller “Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive.” He can be reached through his website, www.harveymackay.com, by emailing [email protected] or by writing him at MackayMitchell Envelope Co., 2100 Elm St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414.