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7 Poems About Effort
Be encouraged and inspired by these poems about effort. Whether it is our work, our relationships, our goals, or our hobbies, effort is often what moves us from simply hoping for something to actually making progress.
You may sometimes wonder if the effort you put in is worth it, especially when results are slow to appear. Yet steady work, patience, and a willing attitude can make a difference. Even small steps, repeated over time, can take us closer to where we want to be.
Doing your best also shows respect for the work, for the people who depend on you, and for yourself. Edgar A. Guest reminds us that even when we feel like one person in a crowd, good work has a way of being noticed.
As you read these poems, may they encourage you to keep trying, give your best, and remember that worthwhile accomplishments usually require effort along the way.
Updated September 19, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
Merit and the Throng
Poet: Edgar A. Guest
A thousand men filed in by day
To work and later draw their pay;
A thousand men with hopes and dreams.
Ambitions, visions, plans and schemes,
And in the line a youth who said:
"What chance have I to get ahead?
In such a throng, can any tell
Whether or not I labor well?"
Yet merit is so rare a trait
That once it enters by the gate,
Although 'tis mingled with the throng,
The news of it is passed along.
A workman sees a willing boy,
And talks about his find with joy;
A foreman hears the word, and seeks
The lad of whom another speaks.
So up the line the news is passed,
And to the chief it comes at last.
A willing ear to praise he lends,
Then for that eager boy he sends
And gives him little tasks to do
To learn if all that's said be true.
Among the throng the lad is one
He keeps a watchful eye upon.
On, youngster, walking with the throng,
Although to-day the road seems long,
Remember that it lies with you
To say what kind of work you'll do.
If you are only passing fair
The chief will never know you're there,
But if you've merit, have no doubt,
The chief will quickly find it out.
Success in Life
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
What determines success in life
Yes, one is overcoming strife
But what moves us forward each day
It is the effort we put in every way.
Nothing comes for free
We must work you see
To achieve success
Is truly not effortless.
So each day commit
To do your best, don't quit
Giving effort and energy
Will move you forward, you will see.
Effort You Put In
Poet: Kate Summers
The effort you put in
Is similar to shaping tin.
If you do it too quick
It is flimsy and not thick.
If you take a shortcut
You will find it has ruts.
But if you shape the tin
And curve it to win
You will have the satisfaction
And tin to use in an application.
Any project that you do
Your very best is due.
No Longer Dreams
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
To do anything good
To do it as it should
Takes effort from you
In all that you do.
Taking shortcuts, saving time
Truly isn't worth a dime.
Don't be discouraged when
Challenges happen, even ten.
Effort at times requires patience so
And not giving up, as you know,
Will bring you to success
Even if mistakes you address.
So give it all you got and more
It will be worth it for sure.
You will be on the winning team
And see your goals realized, no longer dreams.
Moving In The Right Direction
By Orison Swett Marden
Oliver Wendell Holmes says that it does not matter
so much where one stands as the direction in which he is moving.
If you are working according to an intelligent plan;
if you are trying to make everything you do a means of
advancement to the goal you have in view;
if your great ambition is, not to make yourself famous, or rich, or happy,
but to make your life mean something in God's world, -
go ahead, for you are moving in the right direction and will reach your goal.
But if you are looking for an easy place,
or running away from hard work;
if you are too listless, or indifferent,
or careless to take stock of yourself,
to decide upon the path you wish to take,
to look carefully ahead, but not too far ahead,
or to make out an intelligent plan of action
and follow it as nearly as you can, -
no matter where you stand you
are not moving in the right direction.
Effort Leads To Success
Poet: Le Baron Briggs
So few workers, in proportion to the whole number,
give themselves, loyally and unreservedly to their immediate duty,
and if you thus give yourself,
you cannot but succeed.
Thousands of people in small positions whine
because their talents are thrown away -
because their ability has no elbow room.
It is not elbow room they need;
it is "elbow grease";
it is energy and strength.
Their very whining shows they are too
small for the place they are in now.
When the right kind of a person has too small a place,
he does his work so well as to make the place bigger;
people see more in it than they ever saw before.
Put In The Effort
Poet: Catherine Pulsifer
When you feel like giving in,
Tell yourself you can do it
Put in the effort,
Don't just sit.
It can be hard to keep going
When it feels like defeat
But push forward and don’t let
Your hopes become obsolete
Rally your determination and
Focus on what you need
Nothing can bring success
If you don't plant the seed
Take the help of others,
Courageously push on through
You'll find that with effort
Confidence will renew.
Key Reflections In These Poems
-
Effort Turns Intentions Into Action
Wanting something is only the beginning. These poems remind us that progress comes when we are willing to put our intentions into action and keep working toward what matters.
-
Doing Your Best Makes A Difference
Good work has a way of standing out. Even when our efforts seem unnoticed, giving our best builds character and can open opportunities we may not expect.
-
Success Usually Takes Time
Worthwhile goals are rarely reached overnight. Patience, steady effort, and a willingness to learn from mistakes can move us forward one step at a time.
-
Shortcuts Are Not Always The Best Way
Several of these poems remind us that rushing or avoiding hard work can affect the results. Taking the time to do something well often brings greater satisfaction in the end.
-
Keep Going When Progress Feels Slow
Effort matters most when the road becomes difficult. Continuing to try, even after setbacks, can strengthen our confidence and bring our goals closer.
Popular Pages
Continue with these poems and quotes about confidence, determination, hard work, dreams, and giving your best.
Build belief in yourself with these encouraging Poems About Confidence.
Find encouragement to grow and give your best with Be The Best You Can Be.
When the road feels difficult, let the Don't Quit Poem remind you to keep trying.
Strengthen your resolve with these Poems on Determination about staying focused when challenges arise.
Remember that dreams need patience and action with these Poems About Dreams.
Stay focused on doing your part and reaching your goals with these Poems About Winning.
Find short reminders about discipline and persistence in these Hard Work Quotes.
Stay committed when you feel like giving up with these encouraging Determination Quotes.
Conclusion
No matter what you want to achieve in life, effort matters. Big accomplishments often begin with small steps, followed by the decision to keep going when progress feels slow.
These poems remind us that doing our best is never wasted effort. Keep trying, learn from the setbacks, and give what you can each day. Over time, those efforts can take you farther than you may have imagined.
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