Eliminate These Words from Your Vocabulary

How often do you find yourself saying, "I'll try to do it"??

Trying sounds good, right? It implies effort and intention.

But what if, by constantly trying, you're actually setting yourself up for failure?

In fact, one of the things that frustrates me the most is when I’m helping a founder or CEO with an important problem they want resolved, I give them a clear action plan, and they say, “I’ll try.”

So frustrating.?

You know why? Because it tells me that they don’t really care about the result. It tells me that they're not truly connected with their values and goals, and they don’t understand how failing and underperforming impacts those around them.

They tell me, “I’ll try” but what I hear is “I don’t care.” As a result, my confidence in them completing the task plummets.

And I don’t want to work with people who try, the people who don’t care. In fact, I’ve fired several clients who use that language because I don’t even want to be around those people – because I already know how their story ends.

They’re the ones who make excuses.

I want to be around the doers. The ones who have a stacked calendar, and a ton of commitments, yet still get it done.

Think about the quote from the legendary Jedi Master Yoda: “Do or do not, there is no try.”

Let that sink in for a moment.?

“Do or do not, there is no try.”

Or perhaps you'd prefer Apollo Creed trying to get Rocky Balboa out of a slump ahead of his important fight with Clubber Lang, "There is no tomorrow."

It's a subtle but powerful shift in mindset that can make all the difference — and one of the backbones of the entire Win the Day philosophy.

I recently interviewed Harvard psychologist Dr. Ellen Langer who shared some fascinating insights on the concept of trying versus doing. She mentioned how when we use the word "try," it inherently carries the expectation of failure.

Think about it – when was the last time you said you'd try to do something and actually succeeded?

Your language reveals your commitment.

Dr. Langer also conducted research studies on this. One group was told to "try" and another group was told to "do." And you know what? The group that was instructed to "do" consistently outperformed the "trying" group.?

Here’s Dr. Langer to share a bit more about the problem with trying and why our expectations, positive or negative, get fulfilled:

So, how can you apply this into your life? Let's break it down…

First, let's ditch the word "try" from your vocabulary. Instead of saying, "I'll try to finish that project by Friday," say, "I will finish that project by Friday."?

Instead of saying, "I'll try to organize a daddy daughter day this month," say, "I will organize a daddy daughter day this month."?

Instead of saying, "I'll try to eat healthy and work out this week," say, "I will eat healthy and work out this week."?

In doing so, you eliminate the built-in expectation of failure and, instead, set yourself up for success from the beginning.

Here's a personal example: When I committed to this podcast, I didn't say, "I'll try to make it a success." I said, "I will make it a success," even though the path to that goal was impossible to see. And here we are today, five years and 50M+ views later.

Another word for you to avoid is "hope". You need to assume success – which is a core theme from many of the guests who have come on the show – and move forward with confidence. Don’t hope something will work out; expect it to.

So, let's stop hoping and start expecting. Let's stop trying and start doing.

As we finish, I want to leave you with a challenge...

Think about something you've been "trying" to do – what would that be? Maybe it’s to speak on stage, to launch a podcast, to write a book, to reach out to the potential client who you could help.?

Have you got something in mind?

Good.?

Instead of trying to do it, commit to doing it instead. Remember, the path to success is paved with action, not intention. It’s why I have a giant print in my office that says “Action: The difference between having and wanting.”

To acquire, you must act.

My favorite people are the ones who find a way and who lead by example, even when their backs are against the wall. They’re the ones I want to be in the trenches with.

So take that first step, no matter how small, and watch how quickly your life changes as a result.

Onward,

James

PS - If you run your own business and have big dreams for the future, join me and some special friends this September at the 2024 Win the Day Mastermind in Los Angeles, California. Strictly limited to 40 people.