When You Choose Effort, Everything Changes
How grit and consistent action unlock new possibilities.
How to Build Grit When Your Career Stalls — Reflections on Effort, Setbacks, and the Long Way Forward
“Without effort, your talent is nothing more than your unmet potential.”
— Angela Duckworth, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
I didn’t write that quote, but I wish I had. It’s sharp. It’s honest. And lately, it’s been echoing in my head more than I’d like to admit.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been sitting with it — not as an abstract idea, but as a lived truth. This hasn’t been the easiest stretch for me career-wise. Starting a coaching business for the first time has tested me in ways I didn’t expect, and on top of that, I was recently told that a role I’d been eyeing — one that perfectly aligned with my background — wasn’t going to happen.
I won’t sugarcoat it. That one stung.
And when things like that happen, it’s easy to fall back into old stories. The ones that whisper: Maybe it’s too late. Maybe you’ve already peaked. Perhaps this doesn’t work out how you thought it would.
But then I return to that quote: Without effort, your talent is nothing more than your unmet potential. And I realize — hoping isn’t enough. Wishing isn’t enough. Even talent isn’t enough.
Talent Is Only the Starting Line
I think many of us — especially those who’ve been fortunate to succeed in the past — subconsciously believe that our talent will continue to carry us. That if we stay ready, good things will fall into place. But at some point, we all run into a wall.
The systems we relied on before stopped working. The roles we thought were guaranteed vanish. The confidence we once wore like armor suddenly feels thin.
That’s when we’re faced with a choice: stay still and wait, or dig deep and move.
And let me be real — that digging? That’s the work. That’s the effort.
It's not a flashy effort. Not performative effort. Quiet, consistent, uncomfortable effort. The kind that doesn’t give you instant feedback or gold stars. The kind that slowly starts to reawaken belief — not just in the process, but in yourself.
Effort Creates Momentum. Momentum Builds Confidence.
Starting from zero is hard. When you’re still — mentally, emotionally, professionally — everything feels heavier. Doubt creeps in. Fear gets louder. The idea of taking even one step forward can feel overwhelming.
But then you do it. You send the email, make the call, write the post, and show up, and something shifts.
It’s small at first — barely noticeable. But the effort is compound interest. One step leads to another; before you know it, you’re moving again. You're not stuck anymore. You’re in motion.
And momentum? That’s where confidence lives, not in the result but in the movement.
That’s what I’m reminding myself of right now. I haven’t figured everything out. I don’t have a perfect plan. But I know this: if I keep showing up and doing the work, the road will rise to meet me. Or maybe I’ll build it as I walk.
Either way, I’m not staying still.
The Freight Train Isn’t the Enemy
Dan Campbell, head coach of the Detroit Lions, once said:
“There is no light at the end of the tunnel. There is no light. It's just another freight train coming your way.”
It’s not the most hopeful sentiment, yet I think there’s something brutally honest about it.
Because sometimes, we do think we see the light — a job offer, a breakthrough, a “finally, this is it” moment — only to realize it’s not an escape. It’s just the next thing barreling toward us. Another challenge. Another shift. Another curveball.
But what if the train isn’t something to dodge?
What if it’s your potential — coming fast, demanding that you rise to meet it? That metaphor has stayed with me.
The work I’ve been doing — personally and with others — is about getting on the right track. Not chasing the train, not running from it, but standing steady, owning the moment, and saying: Okay, let’s go.
Grit Isn’t Glamorous — But It’s Everything
Grit doesn’t look impressive on the outside. It’s not a trophy. It’s not a viral story. It’s not even something most people notice when you’re in it.
It’s early mornings and late nights. It’s showing up when you’re tired. It’s rewriting the plan after a rejection. It’s hoping again, even when the last hope didn’t pan out.
And maybe, most importantly — it’s learning how to keep moving without needing immediate proof that it’s working.
We forget that sometimes. We crave certainty. But real progress rarely announces itself with fanfare. It usually just shows up one day in the form of resilience — that quiet realization that you’ve grown stronger than you were the last time things didn’t go your way.
If you're in the Tunnel, You're Not Alone.
If you’re in a season where things feel heavy, the career path feels unclear, or your energy is running low, I see you. I’m walking that path, too.
This post isn’t a blueprint. It’s not a 5-step guide to bounce back. It’s just an honest reflection on what it means to keep going — especially when the going feels slow.
I believe there’s power in showing up even when things feel uncertain. There’s strength in naming the hard stuff and still deciding to move.
Effort is what turns potential into progress. It’s what transforms belief from theory into practice. And most of all, it’s what keeps you moving toward the person you're becoming — even if you can't quite see them yet.
Let’s keep going.
👉 **Author’s Note:** If this resonated with you, and you're a man navigating transitions, facing high expectations, or simply trying to make sense of what’s next, advanceMEN coaching is here to help. This work isn’t about hype. It’s about helping you build the grit, confidence, and clarity to move with purpose. Reach out when you are ready or DM me anytime.