I've Given Up On Trying

As I was reflecting today on the most valuable life lessons, two struck me in particular, but I will only explore one today.  One of the best lessons I’ve learned in my thirty years here on Earth is “there is no such thing as trying.”  Did I just stop you dead in your tracks?  Does this sound counterintuitive?  How could these words come out of a teacher’s mouth?  It’s tough love, but let me explain...

Often times, I’ve noticed, that when people say they are “trying” they are not committed to “doing.” “Trying” tends to be the half-assed way of making others believe you are making progress.  It’s the victim’s cry and excuse that although things aren’t changing, it cannot be his/her fault because...well, he or she is “trying.”

Let me lay out a few scenarios:

1.  I am “trying” to lose weight. 

          No.  Either you ARE losing weight or you are NOT losing weight.

2.  I am “trying” to eat healthier.

No.  Either you ARE eating healthier or you are NOT eating healthier.

3.  I am “trying” to be a better person.

No.  Either you ARE being a better person or you are NOT being a better person.

4.  I am “trying” to save money.

No.  Either you ARE saving money or your are NOT saving money.

Get my gist?  I could name a million scenarios where people are “trying” and I am sure you could as well.  It is the middle-ground path between doing and not doing.  It’s a pseudo drug that convinces us that we’re doing something, when in fact, we are doing nothing.  Typically, I have noticed that what a person is trying to do is often a difficult task.  It requires commitment, hard work, and dedication.  It is hard to lose weight.  It is difficult to eat healthier, be a better person, and save money.  It requires a lot of effort to achieve any of these goals!  I can almost guarantee that those who are thinking, “No, there is such a thing as trying!” are the ones who try an awful lot.  Take a minute to reflect on things you’ve “tried.”  They are often things we didn’t achieve, because if we achieved them, the sentence wouldn’t be, “I tried to learn guitar,” it would be, “I learned how to play guitar.”  Don’t let “trying” be your crutch for acceptance of failure.  Let “doing” be your opportunity for success.

 As I look down at goals that I have been “trying” to achieve, I’ve decided that I am going to stop trying.  I am going to start doing.  I wish you the same.  Take a minute to look at what you are “trying” to do, and instead, do it.