Try to do something
Have you ever ‘tried ‘to do something, how successful were you? Have you ever heard or been part of the following kind of conversation?
Person A: “We are meeting up for drinks tonight, you should come.”
Person B: “OK, I’ll try and be there at 7.00 o’clock.”
Person A: “see you there, bye”
If you were person A would you be confident that person B was going to meet you at 7.00 o’clock?
I am not sure that I would be.
There is a real difference between trying to do something and actually doing it. ‘Try’ is a word that really does not convey much conviction or instill in others confidence that a given task will be completed.
“I will try and get this report finished tonight.”
“I’ll try and arrange a meeting later on today so we can discuss the progress we have been making.”
Imagine if you are a manager (maybe you are one) who says to an employee, “I need to have the documentation for this project finalized by Wednesday at the latest”, and you employee turns to you and says:
“Sure, I’ll try and have it done.”
As a manager this isn’t really what you want to hear. I don’t think any manager would walk away without having some doubts about whether or not the documentation would be completed.
Saying that you will ‘try’ to do something doesn’t install faith, either in yourself or others.
When we say we will ‘try’ to do something it is like we immediately have doubts about our ability to complete the task we are about to try and do. When we say it to ourselves are we even sure that the task can be completed, not to mention whether it will be completed or not?
“I am going to try and get a job in the fashion industry”
“I will try to learn some French in the next 6 months”
“I will try and pass my accountancy exams”
If you ever heard anyone say the above, would you have faith in them, would you put money on them completing their goals?
Would you be surprised if they didn’t complete their objectives?
It is like saying:
“Ok I will start this activity, but it may not happen so let’s prepare ourselves for the eventuality of it happening, as well as the possible of it not happening.”
Your mind is already starting to think about what to do when the task doesn’t get completed.
“I’ll try and finish this by 6pm’ next thing you say to yourself is ‘What excuse can I come up with when it isn’t completed on time”.
Use words like ‘Will’ and ‘Do’, these words have more affirmative intentions behind them. Saying you will do something has weight behind it; it is believable and focuses your mind to come up with strategies on how to make it happen.
“I will pass my accountancy exams”.
“I will complete this report by 6pm”.
When you say you will try something, do you really deep down believe you will complete it? Be more positive with the words you use, Show some confidence in yourself and allow others to see it in you as well.
To quote a wise creature from a famous movie ‘Do or do not, there is no try’
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