This is the first of a three part series entitled, “Bucking the Trend”. The goal is to explore three different topics that come up when one is trying to better themselves and how to view them from a different perspective. Can “Bucking the Trend” be a catalyst to catapult you to new levels? Read on and find out.
I’d love to read your comments in the comments section below.
Bucking the Trend – Part 1: Why “Trying” Doesn’t Matter
How many times were you told as a kid to just “Try It”? Now how many times as an adult do you say, “I’ll give it a try”? Probably more than you think! Conventional wisdom tells us that “trying” things is how we learn or it’s how we determine if something will work or if we will like something. Below are 3 reasons for why “trying” is overrated and 3 ways to Buck the Trend!
3 Reasons why “Trying” is overrated:
1. Trying is passive
The word “trying” may imply action, but in reality it’s passive. If I were to ask you to pick up a ball and your response is “I’ll try” and you bend down to pick it up…you didn’t try (passive) to pick it up, you either “did” (action) or “didn’t” (action). Trying requires no effort or action, it is merely an empty word.
2. Trying encourages failure
When we say, “I’ll try” it allows failure to be okay. Failure in and of itself isn’t bad. In fact we many times learn more in our failures that in our successes. But when we try we not only leave the door open for failure, we often don’t give 100%.
3. Trying is a scapegoat
Not only does “trying” encourage failure, “trying” also acts as a scapegoat. We feel that if we try something and it doesn’t work out then no harm done. We will accept failure and tell ourselves failure is okay, because we were just “trying”.
3 Ways to Buck the Trying Trend
1. Extinguish “try” from your vocabulary
Extinguish means to put out or bring to an end. The words we choose feed our actions. By effectively extinguishing “try” from our vocabulary, we are removing the inaction of “trying” and the acceptance of failure.
2. Make a decision and a plan
This embodies action. By making a decision and a plan we are no longer inactive but active. This kicks “trying” to the curb!
3. Commit to the plan and outcome(s)
“Trying” often leads to a half-hearted attempt. By committing to the plan and to the outcomes, we stand a greater chance of success. Committing requires action and accountability.
The difference between success and failure is often the mindset we enter with. Instead of entering with the mindset of “trying”, enter with the mindset of “DOING”!