Daodejing Chapter 22: to yield is to remain whole

To yield is to be whole.
To bend is to be straight.
To be empty is to be full.
To be exhausted is to be renewed.
To have little is to gain.
To have too much is to be troubled.
That is why the sage embraces the one and sets an example to the world.
He does not show off and therefore shines.
He does not promote himself and is therefore revered.
He does not boast and is therefore honored.
He does not seek glory and therefore endures.
Because he does not contend,
Nobody in the world contends with him.
The ancient saying “to yield is to be whole” is indeed true.
When you are whole, all things will come to you.

「曲則全，枉則直，窪則盈，敝則新，少則得，多則惑。是以聖人抱一為天下式，不自見故明，不自是故彰，不自伐故有功，不自矜故長。古之所謂曲則全者，豈虛言哉？誠全而歸之。」

How to achieve a state of effortless action (無為/wúwéi)? This is the question that Chapter 22 of the Daodejing explores. The key is learning to let go, stay humble, and to allow things to happen to you rather than struggling to make them happen for you.

A palm tree that bends with the wind is much more capable of weathering a storm than a mighty oak tree that stands tall to resist it. In the same way, if you calmly focus on achieving your goals without vainly trying to draw attention to yourself or compete with others you will ultimately prevail.

Effortless action thus means having the self-confidence and self-confidence to stay out of the daily hustle and bustle of life so that you can focus on achieving what is truly important. By not wasting energy on unnecessary battles, you will build up the strength and resilience you need to triumph in the ones that truly matter.

Note
I took this image at Longhu (Dragon Tiger) Mountain, a famous Daoist site about ten miles south of Yingtan in Jiangxi Province. A great place to visit!