On a football field, when an offensive player gets hit, the play doesn’t always end there. Sometimes the impact stops him cold. Other times, if there’s even a sliver of opportunity, he leans forward, twists, or stretches—what’s often called a second effort.
That second effort doesn’t usually make the highlight reel. It might only gain a yard. Sometimes less. But those small gains matter. They move the team closer to the goal line, one imperfect push at a time.
Work unfolds much the same way.
The First Effort Gets You Started
When you sit down to work on a task or project, the first effort is about engagement. You open the document. You outline the idea. You send the first email. You take the first step.
And often, that’s where things stall.
Not because you failed—but because real work attracts resistance. Distractions appear. Energy dips. Something interrupts your focus, or you hit a point of uncertainty that makes stopping feel easier than continuing.
This is normal. Expected, even.
Where Momentum Is Actually Built
The second effort is what comes after the interruption.
It’s the decision to return to the task sooner than later. To re-enter the work before friction turns into avoidance. To add one more sentence, make one more adjustment, or spend five more focused minutes before moving on.
The second effort doesn’t need to be heroic. It just needs to exist.
That small push often restores momentum—not because it solves everything, but because it keeps the work alive. And alive is better than abandoned.
Small Gains Still Count
We tend to overvalue big breakthroughs and undervalue incremental progress. But just like on the field, forward motion doesn’t have to be dramatic to be effective.
A second effort might mean:
- Revisiting a task after a brief distraction
- Making a tiny improvement instead of a sweeping revision
- Choosing continuity over perfection
Those small gains compound. They reduce restart friction. They build trust with yourself. And over time, they move you much closer to the goal than waiting for the “right” moment ever will.
When Things Stall, Lean Forward
The next time your work slows—or stops altogether—don’t ask whether you have the energy to start over.
Ask a simpler question: What would a second effort look like right now? Then give just that.
It might be the yard you need to keep moving.
