Putting in effort can be a source of meaning, as doing hard things tends to feel meaningful.

The 'IKEA effect' suggests that when consumers invest effort into a product, such as assembling furniture, they perceive it as more valuable, which can also apply to other products like meal kits.

Effort and thought inequality exist; some people are simply more driven. If those individuals succeed, it doesn't mean they took from others; it means they invested the necessary energy and effort to achieve their goals.

Constant hard work is essential for success; the most capable individuals work diligently and are always engaged with their problems.

The key to sustaining effort in any process is to reward the effort itself, especially during challenging moments, rather than just the outcomes.

Recognizing that effort leads to positive feelings can help reframe hard tasks as opportunities rather than obligations.

The subjective reward should be focused on the hardest parts of a process, reinforcing positive behavior during tough conversations or challenges, while the process of learning and adapting involves creating neural pathways that become more efficient over time, allowing you to handle challenges with ease.

The more I work, the better I get at working, and the more productive I become per unit of time.

Developers often procrastinate on overwhelming tasks by engaging in easier work, which can lead to a false sense of productivity while neglecting significant projects.