| Powerful Words | 24th May 2007 |
Dear [firstname,fallback=Subscriber]
Inspirational Tip“Do or do not. There is no try." Performance TipHow many times a day do you hear someone, when asked to do something, respond with, "I'll TRY." Perhaps you ask your child or partner to take out the rubbish and their response is "I'll try to remember." Maybe you ask a colleague to complete a report and their response is "I'll try to get it done by tomorrow." Or a coach says to their athlete, "Have a great game." and their response is "I'll try but I'm a bit tired." Do this now. Place a pen on your desk and TRY to pick it up. Did you pick it up? If you did, you didn't TRY, you just picked up the pen. Put it back down and TRY to pick it up. You can't 'try', can you, because 'try' is actually a 'nothing' word. It implies that we might consider something, but we probably won't do it. We are certainly not committing to something when we say "I'll try." Try gives us an excuse, an escape, an 'out'. In your life, become very aware of the word 'try'. It commmunicates a lack of intent and a way out of committment. Instead, decide if you want to, and are able to commit to something, and communicate this. "I'll try to remember." vs "I will take the rubbish out tonight." "I'll try to get it done by tomorrow." vs "I will have the report done by tomorrow afternoon." "I'll try but I'm a bit tired." vs "OK. I'll have a good game." If you are unable to complete a task, communicate that. "I don't have time today so I will take the rubbish out tomorrow." "I have to leave early today and have meetings tomorrow so I will have the report done by Friday afternoon."
When managing and leading others, the little word 'try' can cause all sorts of frustration and miscommunication. If someone in your life uses the word 'try' on a regular basis, consider these responses: You: " When will that report be completed?" Them: "I'll try to get it done by tomorrow." You: "You'll try... or you will get it done?" You: "Please put out the rubbish tonight." Them: "I'll try to remember." You" "You'll try... or you will remember to do it?" You: "Have a good game." Them: I'll try but I'm a bit tired." You: "You'll try to have a good game or you will have a good game-which one?" People usually respond to these questions with "I will do it." or "I won't do it." Either way you get a committment from them and you both know where you stand. Having such clear communication always helps you in your performance at work, at home and on the playing field.
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"How many times a day do you hear someone, when asked to do something, respond with, 'I'll try.' "
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