Effort refers to the work put into something. If you do not put forth your best effort then you are more likely to fail in achieving your goals, but if you give something all of your efforts then you have accomplished much even if the end goal is not met. The effort required to move a 5 lb block is far less than the effort needed to move a 500 lb block.
If you can't appreciate a woman when she is doing her best for you, then you don't deserve her.
Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.