The Paradox of Effort: You have to put in more effort to make something look effortless. When you realize this, you start to do things differently.

Effort: You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

Effort supposes resistance.

The harder we try with the conscious will to do something, the less we shall succeed. Proficiency and results come only to those who have learned the paradoxical art of doing and not doing, or combining relaxation with activity.

Effort is the unconstrained willingness to persevere through difficulty.

The effort kids simply thought the difficulty meant “Apply more effort or try new strategies.” They didn’t see it as a failure, and they didn’t think it reflected on their intellect.

Effort and results do not share a linear relationship.

Before we judge, let's remember that effort isn't quite everything and that all effort is not created equal.

What if the biggest thing keeping us from doing what matters is the false assumption that it has to take tremendous effort? What if, instead, we considered the possibility that the reason something feels hard is that we haven’t yet found the easier way to do it?

effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment.

no matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment.

And this is part of the fixed mindset. Effort is for those who don’t have the ability.

Success is just a little more effort.

When effort is needed, effort will appear. When effortlessness becomes essential, it will assert itself. You need not push life about. Just flow with it and give yourself completely to the task of the present moment, (…) Don't be afraid, don't resist, don't delay. Be what you are. There is nothing to be afraid of. Trust and try. Experiment honestly. Give your real being a chance to shape your life. You will not regret.