Exertion or trying as it is described in the paramitas (“virya” in the Sanskrit) is exertion for the benefit of others. But what gets in the way, especially if you don’t have a regular meditation practice, is that we try to think our way into success by chattering to ourselves about what we should and shouldn’t do. We try to cram ourselves into things when there are too many other things that haven’t been examined. As soon as you take your inventory, don’t do it. How do you “don’t do it”? By seeing how you do it. It takes a strong awareness practice, strengthening the witness part.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TqPCK1rQm4