"Do or do not; there is no try." -- Yoda
The word "try" still trips me up sometimes. As I was going through the final edits in my book, I found a heading that said "Things to Try." It stopped me in my tracks and triggered an internal discord that I knew I had to address.
The phrase wasn't technically wrong since we all know that not everything works for everyone, but it just didn't feel right. Even though we understand the intent, the big problem with the word try, is that it automatically allows for failure as an option--or even the expectation of it. "Sure, go ahead and give it a try.
It may not work, but you can say you tried." Well, who's inspired by that kind of thinking?
Not everything we attempt does work out, so that does make it a try--but only after the fact. We still did. And because we weren't focused on the possibility of it not working, our positive mindset gave it a much better chance of success.
Obviously, I changed "Things to Try" to "Things to Do," which is far more empowering. Because one thing we know for certain, doing nothing will get us nothing. And a half-hearted try will, at best, get us a half-hearted result.
As I work on the final edits of the new book, I don't sit here thinking, "Well, I'll try to get it done by my deadline." My mindset is that I will get it done--and I will do whatever it takes to make that happen. Very different than telling myself--with a big sigh, of course--"Well, I'm trying…" No, I'm doing!
Daydreaming, wishing, hoping or any other version of magical thinking won't get me what I want. Sitting in the chair and doing the work will.
Yoda was right. "Do or do not; there is no try."
So, whatever you do, don't just try--do! And do it on purpose and with passion!
*****
Paula Renaye is the author of The Hardline Self Help Handbook--What are you willing to do to get what you really want and the upcoming release, Living the Life You Love. For more inspirational and motivational articles, visit http://hardlineselfhelp.com
If you love to laugh, Paula also writes fun and funny mysteries and you can get the first book in the series, Hot Enough to Kill, free for your kindle Wednesday, Thursday and Friday only. Get it now!
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