When I was growing up, I was fed a steady diet of aphorisms: sayings that delivered the maximum wisdom with the minimum words. I heard things like, “Actions speak louder than words” and “A fool and his money are soon parted.” These words ran like tapes in my head and became a part of my brainscape, a part of who I became, as did:

• You can’t have your cake and eat it too,
• Winners never quit and quitters never win, and
• There’s more than one way to skin cat.

As I grew, my storehouse of aphorisms grew. I added to them from books I read and movies I watched. Any short, pithy wisdom made it into the fold.  One of my favorites is from the Star Wars movies. Remember when Yoda said, “Do, or do not. There is no try.” That one really stuck with me.

I think “trying” is something people do when they’re not really sure they’ll succeed. It’s an out. “I’ll try,” is an admission that you’re not sure that you will, but you want to make the attempt.  Like the mom who says, “I’m going to try and get Baby Girl to use the potty,” the intent is to make an attempt but leave room in case Baby Girl just isn’t ready yet.

The problem with “trying” is that there’s not enough determination behind it to keep you going through the tough spots. It’s easy to wuss out on trying.  I think “trying” is actually a way of saying, “I don’t really think I am strong enough to accomplish this, so I’m hoping to earn some points for my intent.” 

It’s funny the difference between the two small words, “try” and “do.”  Compare the two statements below and think about your gut reaction to them:

• I’m trying to get out of debt
• I’m getting out of debt

Which one do you find more convincing?

When I say that I’m going to do something, I do it. When I say, “I’ll try,” it’s often code for “I don’t think I’ll make it.”

Compare these two statements:

• Sure, I’ll come to your party.
• I’ll try and make it to your party.

Which person is going to show up?

Perhaps the difference between the people who succeed at becoming debt-free and those who don’t is in the very words they use to describe what they are doing. The act of becoming debt free – the doing as opposed to just trying – is what it takes to succeed.

For the next week, eliminate the word “try” from your vocabulary. Each time you hear yourself say, “I’ll try,” stop and rephrase to “I will.” Make some notes about how it works for you.

Each of us has the power to achieve the things we are committed to whether it be debt freedom, career improvement, or curtailing our shopping. Have a look at some of the commitments you think you have made, and decide if you’re determined to do, or just trying. Then stop trying.

Do!