Hey everyone, welcome to another episode of the Monday Break(Through).
As you know, the other day, I had a really great chat with James Martin, and he said something that’s been sitting with me ever since. I asked him what would be the one most important advice he could give out and he simply said “Effort is free.”
And at first, it sounds simple, almost obvious. But the more I think about it, the more I realize how powerful it actually is. Because in a world where we obsess over resources—time, money, connections, tools—there’s one thing that doesn’t have a price tag and that’s effort.
No matter where you are in your journey—whether you’re just starting out, trying to break through, or refining something you’ve been working on for years—effort is the one thing that’s completely within your control. And the best part? It compounds.
Look at any designer, artist, or entrepreneur you admire. Sure, they might have talent. They might have had a lucky break. But if you dig deeper, you’ll always find the same thing: consistent, relentless effort.
Effort is what separates someone who wants to do something from someone who actually does it. It’s what turns a good idea into something real. It’s what keeps you moving forward even when you don’t feel like it, even when nobody’s watching, even when it seems like progress is slow.
Because the truth is that most people quit too early. Most people hesitate too long. Most people hold back because they overthink what they don’t have instead of doubling down on what they do have.
But effort? Effort is free. And effort is everything.
And this is something I’ve been reflecting on personally. I’ll be honest—there have been plenty of times where I’ve caught myself making excuses. Thinking, I need more time, I need better tools, I need to figure out the perfect strategy first. But in reality, none of that matters if I’m not putting in the effort.
Effort means showing up even when you don’t have all the answers.
Effort means doing the work before you feel ready.
Effort means staying consistent when things don’t happen as fast as you want.
And it doesn’t cost a thing.
So as you step into this week, ask yourself:
• Are you making the most of the effort you could be putting in?
• Are you using what you already have instead of waiting for what you think you need?
• Are you making excuses, or are you making progress?
Because at the end of the day, talent is nice, luck is great, and resources do help—but effort is the real game-changer. And the best part? It’s free.
So, go put in the effort and let’s make this week count.
I hope you have an amazing week, and I’ll see you next Monday.