Some of you may know where this is going already. If you know me you know I am not a fan of that word. What word you ask? The word "TRY" and all of its slippery derivatives. Trying, tried, and all the others. I am equally NOT a fan of the synonyms. Attempting, making an effort, aiming for, and so forth. I sometimes catch myself using a form of these or these same words And when I catch myself a part of me dies. Okay, maybe not that extreme...but it bothers me immensely. Let me explain why I do not like the words or concept of "trying".
If life was a basketball game TRYING to do something is attempting a layup and then closing your eyes at the basket. Is there a chance that you make the shot? Of course there is! But that does NOT mean it is a good shot. In fact, it cannot be a good shot, or the right decision if you are not committed all the way. Trying to do something is not committing completely. It is leaving a backdoor open at the club to escape when things get tricky. And while I understand that there are times when that backdoor is necessary the majority of the time it is not needed. That backdoor can slowly become a crutch, and we do not need crutches.
Crutches are for the injured, those that need assistance while they work to get back to 100%, and most of all, those that need something else to lean on than their own two feet. I am a firm believer in committing 100%. If you cannot commit 100% you should not commit at all. The least you can do is give it everything you have. The worst you can do is to "try" something without going all in. If you are going to do something then do it. Go all the way, regardless of fear or possible failure. Putting full energy and focus on the task is not TRYING...that is DOING.
Doing is putting in the effort, regardless of the outcome. There is a chance of failure, but it is equal to the chance of success. Think about this one for a moment. If you TRY to do something and do not accomplish the task because you did not give it your all then why were you not successful? Is it because of lack of effort, is it because you were only TRYING and not DOING? Or is it because you truly cannot get it done? Tough questions to ask, and even tougher questions to answer. If you are DOING something and are approaching it as such, not as a possible attempt but as the only attempt the margin of failure decreases. The margin of failure actually goes away completely. Why? Because the only options are sink or swim.
And sinking is not nearly as terrifying as it sounds in a pool of water.
If you are doing it and not succeeding now, you are setting yourself up for success later. This is happening, because you are seeing immediately what is working and not working. And because you are getting the immediate results you can decide when you are going to implement the changes you need to make and when to DO IT AGAIN. There is no question as to effort or whether you can get it done or not. You now have the data you need to get it done, and you know that if you execute again with full intent of success it is bound to follow. And that is if things do NOT work out when you start doing something.
If you are doing it and succeeding, then not only are you being successful now but you have something to build off of for the next step. Either way deciding to DO and not just TRY means you are putting positive energy into the air. By not approaching with a possible air of doubt (there is doubt in TRY) you are gearing up for successful results, whether now or later. (sometimes even now AND later)
So do me a favor. STOP TRYING. Start DOING. Go DO it. Have no fear in failure, have no hesitation in your moves, have no regret. Be positive and go DO. Show them what you can DO when you really put your mind to it. And once you start putting your mind to it keep doing that. To the people that say you can't and wont, show them you WILL.
Show us all what you really can do.