Do or Do Not. There Is No Try.
Make no room for doubt. Fully commit to every act.
“Always with you what cannot be done. Hear you nothing that I say? You must unlearn what you have learned... Try not! Do. Or do not. There is no try.” — Yoda
“Try” is a squishy word.
It means you may fail. In reality, all we ever do is try this or that. The problem with the word “try” is that it makes room for doubt.
“Try” leads to half-hearted attempts.
Just saying the phrase “I’ll try” has an air of defeat. Look at how Luke says it to his master Yoda in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Most people use the word “try” the same way. Their heart isn’t in it.
It is time to eliminate the word “try” from your vocabulary.
Do or do not. The word “do” means you will complete the task. You will succeed. You brook no argument with failure. You are fully committed. There is no doubt... no indecision.
Words mean little if never followed with action, but they set the stage for it.
If you act with doubt, you will not put your best foot forward. You will hesitate. You will not apply the full force of your ability to the task at hand. Fear of failure will rule you.
“Do” is a more powerful mindset than “try.”
Before each act, limit yourself to two choices: Do. Or do not. Allow nothing else to worm its way between them. Either fully commit to the act or decide on a different course of action.
The DOers of the world go all out in service of their goals. They make no room for doubt. Be that person.
🤔 Food for Thought:
Can you recall a recent time when you used the phrase “I’ll try?”
Were you fully committed to DOing, or did you allow room for doubt?
⚙️ One Small Step:
The next time you act on a goal, say to yourself out loud...
“I will try [goal].”
Then say...
“I will DO [goal].”
Notice how much more committed you are with just the change in language. Now repeat the second phrase as a mantra and never look back.