Stop Saying Try to Succeed: Shift Your Mindset; Win Your Game!
I am all about language and how the use of language shapes the way we feel, think, and act. We can be responsible for our own actions when we are responsible for the use of language.
Today, I want to bring your attention to the following words: Try vs Work On. Whenever I catch myself using the word “try” in the context of commitment, I feel uncomfortable. This is because I know full well what it means if I tell you, “I tried” or “I am trying.”
When I hear others talk about making a change or committing themselves to something and they said they have tried, what I am immediately hearing is they have already quit.
Trying is an attempt to do something, which is an escape route to the challenge we often don’t want to take on. So, we might say, “I tried or I am trying.” Trying is non-committal and it lacks full dedication. It doesn’t involve any sense of declaration, and it denotes uncertainty and even suggests the possibility of failure.
In reality, trying is like dusting or more specifically, “fairy dusting” if there is even such a thing.
Trying detracts from the deep cleansing associated with hard work, which fosters self-discovery and personal growth.
Trying is perfect if you are not ready to immerse in a big change, or you don’t want to make any real changes. However, if you are looking for a massive shift in taking on a long-term commitment or adopting a positive habit for life, then you will want to “Work On” the commitment or work on forming the habit so that it would stick.
The impact of merely trying is that we continually limit our full commitment and effort. This hinders our personal growth, preventing us from discovering what we are truly capable of achieving. In this sense, we can never become our best selves.
Don’t get me wrong you can say try some food by tasting because you are using the word try to “explore”. Using try in the context of exploring is fine.
In terms of improving yourself or developing yourself and you are wanting to make a long-term commitment happen, you might consider improving yourself in a way that ironically takes little effort. That little effort would be to incorporate in your sentence the phrasal verb, “Work On”.
Yes, "work on" is a phrasal verb that involves collocation. It combines the verb "work" with the preposition "on." This combination directs our attention to the commitment or task at hand. It makes sense when we realize and understand the main meaning of work on.
And what is the main meaning? The main meaning of work on is “To focus effort on something: It means to direct energy or attention toward improving, developing, or completing a task, project, or skill.”
Examples:
- I need to work on my presentation skills.
- I need to work on going to bed early.
- I need to work on time-management.
- I need to work on saving up for a house.
- I need to work on taking care of myself
- I need to work on taking care of my health, my well-being.
Incorporating phrases like "work on" in your sentences when discussing commitment or adopting positive habits makes it easier to stay true to your word—especially if that word involves bettering yourself. To "work on" something becomes the action that naturally follows through on what you said you would do. You are then being your word!
Here is something you can take on if you want to stop using the word “try”, and instead adopt using the phrasal verb, “Work On”.
- When you notice yourself saying the word try such as I am trying… STOP.
- Acknowledge it. Acknowledge that you noticed yourself saying, “I am trying…”
- Feel great about noticing and acknowledging what you said!
- You can replace, “I am trying” with “I am working on it.” To do gracefully replace these words, I say, “Actually, I am not trying. I am working on it.” This is the beginning of phasing out the use of “Try” in any context that entails a commitment’
Go ahead and start working on the projects you intend to complete or start working on the habit you have adopted and want to continue for life!
What I’ve shared with you today is only a small sample of my strategies to help you find balance and to maintain balance in life. See below for more information about joining me in a Coaching Session or about booking a free consultation with me.
And, if this video has helped you or has given you new ideas to work on developing yourself and find flow, be sure to “like” my video and subscribe.
Till next time…
Find your flow. Find your freedom.
******************************************************************************
CONTACT US
Email: info@composurecoaching.ca
FOLLOW US
YouTube: @ComposureCoaching
Instagram: @composurecoaching