striving

a. & n. from Strive. -- Striv·ing·ly, adv.

noun

1. The use of energy to do something: effort, endeavor, exertion, pain (used in plural), strain¹, struggle, trouble, while. Informal elbow grease. See work/play.
2. A vying with others for victory or supremacy: battle, competition, contest, corrivalry, race, rivalry, strife, struggle, tug of war, war, warfare. See conflict/cooperation.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: an effortful attempt to attain a goal
  Synonyms: nisus, pains, strain