Dweck presents effort as more than a means of achieving results. The willingness to work towards something reflects the importance a person places on it. Whether pursuing knowledge, developing a skill or maintaining a relationship, sustained effort demonstrates that a goal or activity holds personal significance. In this sense, effort contributes to a meaningful life by connecting what people value with what they do.

The quotation also challenges the assumption that effort indicates a lack of natural ability. In the context of Dweck’s research, people who regard intelligence as fixed may see working hard as evidence that they are not sufficiently capable. This belief can discourage them from investing effort, even in activities they consider important.

Dweck instead emphasises the value of commitment itself. Achievement may be uncertain, but choosing to devote time and energy to something can still express purpose and personal priorities. The significance of effort therefore extends beyond success or failure.

Full quotation

“Perhaps the saddest result of this belief [entity theory or fixed mindset] is that students may never come to value effort. Effort is one of the things that gives meaning to life. Effort means that you care about something, that something is important to you and you are willing to work for it. It would be an impoverished existence if you were not willing to value things and commit yourself to working toward them. Yet, as you may remember, Sorich and Dweck (in press) found that students holding an entity theory strongly held the goal of minimizing the effort they put into their schoolwork, even though they wanted to perform well.”