The Power of Effort by Rochelle Melander

We are responsible for the effort, not the outcome. —Unknown

I once heard a doctor from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin say that they cannot guarantee outcomes, but they can guarantee that the medical staff will give 100 percent effort.

When writing is not going well, rejection letters are flowing in or, worse yet, you hear nothing, it is good to remember this: you can be responsible only for the effort, not the outcome.

Ask yourself:

+Am I doing my part?

+Am I reading?

+Am I writing?

+Am I submitting?

Once you figure out what you need to do, put in your best effort. At the end of the day, you’ll feel good about yourself and your work no matter what the editors and critics say—because you made the effort. You suited up, got into the field and played your best. Go you!