Power of Effort
When was the last time you woke up and believed truly believed that your effort could move mountains?
In a powerful and deeply honest conversation, Walt and Joel reminded us that turning vision into reality hinges on the energy we bring to every action, and on the mindset we choose to cultivate, even in the darkest moments.
The heartbeat of their discussion was simple, yet profound: Effort, when guided by authenticity and the right mindset, becomes a superpower.
Joel asked, “Have you ever felt afraid to let people see you struggle?” He spoke openly about his own fear of being judged during tough times, how, after losing everything to addiction, the shame of being seen waiting tables weighed heavy on him. But then he arrived at a turning point: “Now I have, I never hide my struggle or my effort. And effort is an action. It’s under the action-based category. Effort yields results. Effort is attractive.”
Walt echoed this, asking, “What’s the effort regarding what it is you’re hoping to accomplish? Is it something consistent with the kind of person you want to be or the opposite?”
This question cut straight to the heart of the matter. Walt and Joel explored how effort, applied blindly, can reinforce our limiting beliefs; but with positive, affirming intent, it can break barriers and rewrite what’s possible.
The pair shared stories of legendary athletes: Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan—icons who became household names not just for their talent, but for their “freakish work ethic,” their relentless drive to be better, to aim higher, to never leave anything on the table.
Yet it wasn’t just about sporting glory. Joel spoke of overcoming catastrophic personal failures and how the daily habit of writing five things he was grateful for (a streak unbroken since August 17, 1995) grounded him, bringing resilience and quiet power. He confessed, “That is probably the least energy effort, and probably the most powerful effort of all”
Walt contributed his own hard-earned wisdom: “I put in tons of effort. I was working ridiculously long days, but I wasn’t producing the financial results I was hoping for because I kept focusing on the wrong stuff.” Mindset, they agreed, is everything. More than effort, we must choose where to aim our energy.
From stories of overcoming addiction, cancer in a child, losing everything, finding faith, building with artificial intelligence, and learning to embrace failure as the root of greatness, Walt and Joel confront the hard questions: “If you don’t believe in your own beliefs, is success even possible?” and “What habit will you build today that will carry you through tomorrow’s storm?”
The answer, echoed in their parting wisdom: Start with gratitude, adjust your mindset each morning, and pour your effort into what truly matters.Because a life well-lived is less about avoiding hardship and more about being “all in,” every day.
LOA Today Episode Page: https://www.loatoday.net/power-of-effort
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