Saturday, January 18, 1997

Stop trying

The phone rings. The voice on the other end asks “Do you have that report yet?” You answer, “No, but I’m trying to get it done."

Stop. Rewind. Run the scene again.

The phone rings. The voice on the other end asks “Do you have that report yet?” You answer, “I’m working on it right now. You’ll have it in the morning."

Notice any difference? In the first example, you’re trying. In the second example, you’re doing. Which one seems more likely to result in a completed report?

Trying... Have you ever thought about that word and its implications? When you tell yourself, or anyone else, that you’re “trying", that strongly presumes the negative -- that you’re not actually doing. Even worse is when you are “trying hard". Think about those two words, “trying” and “hard.” Not exactly confidence builders, not exactly full of action. We refer to people in dire circumstances as leading a “trying” life, or as going through “hard” times. So what does trying hard get you?

Stop trying. Start doing. When you think of yourself, or refer to yourself, as trying, the lack of commitment is glaring. So stop trying. Go beyond “giving it your best shot” and make the commitment to get it done.

Replace “trying hard” with “doing whatever it takes” and see how much more effective you become.

— Ralph Marston

What results are you getting?       Time is what we make it

Copyright ©1997 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. All Rights Reserved. The Daily Motivator is provided for your personal, non-commercial use only. Other than personal sharing, please do not re-distribute without permission.