"You can't try to do things; you simply must do them"

The essence of the quote is that attempting isn’t enough—action is what truly matters. When we say we’ll “try” to do something, we often give ourselves a way out. But when we commit to doing it, there’s no escape. We have to follow through. Think about resolutions you’ve made. When you resolve to “try” to work out more, it’s easy to skip a day here and there. But if you decide, “I will work out every day,” it’s a solid commitment, no wiggle room.

Let's take a look at the historical context. This kind of language became famous with figures like Yoda in Star Wars: “Do or do not; there is no try.” It’s a philosophy that’s echoed by successful people across various fields—from sports to business. They understand that commitment and action are non-negotiable. When Michael Jordan steps onto the basketball court, he doesn't “try” to win; he plays to win. That’s a mindset that separates the successful from the mediocre.

Here’s a vivid example. Imagine a mountaineer facing a challenging climb. If they approach the mountain with the mindset, “I’ll try to reach the top,” they might turn back at the first sign of difficulty. But with the resolve of, “I will reach the summit,” they’re much more likely to push through adversity. Take Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to summit Everest. His journey was fraught with challenges, but he didn’t simply try—he committed to reaching the top, and he did.

How do you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by changing your language. When setting goals, remove the word “try” from your vocabulary. Say “I will” instead of “I’ll try.” This subtle shift creates a mental commitment. Next, visualize the end result. Imagine you’ve already achieved your goal. Feel the satisfaction and pride that comes with it. This helps solidify your resolve. Lastly, break your goal into actionable steps. When you commit to doing something, you need a plan. Each step should be a deliberate action moving you closer to your goal.

To illustrate, let’s dive into a relatable scenario. Picture a student struggling with math. If they say, “I’ll try to understand calculus,” they may never truly grasp it, giving up at the first difficult concept. But if they declare, “I will understand calculus,” they commit to putting in the work needed—studying, asking for help, practicing problems. It’s that shift from tentative effort to determined action that makes the difference.

I remember a time when I decided to run a marathon. At first, my mindset was, “I’ll try to run a marathon.” I found myself skipping training days, making excuses. But when I changed my mindset to “I will run a marathon,” everything changed. I created a training plan, stuck to it, and kept the end goal in sight. The day of the marathon, despite the pain and fatigue, I knew I couldn’t give up. I crossed the finish line because I had committed to doing, not trying.

So, next time you’re faced with a challenge or a goal, banish the word “try” from your thoughts. Embrace the action-oriented mindset. Make a commitment. Do what needs to be done. You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve.