Yoda said, “Do or not do, there is no try.”
It‘s either do or not do, did or didn’t, commit or don’t commit. This whole notion of “trying” is like a big, pretty, shiny, shimmering bubble floating across a room — until it’s not.
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“Hey daddy, will you make it to my recital?”
“I’ll try.” (aka I’m super busy and you’re not worth the effort)
—
“Hey mom, will you make it to my basketball game?”
“I’ll try.” (aka I have a girl’s night, so we’ll see)
—
“Hey spouse, will you be home for dinner?”
“I’ll try.” (aka go ahead and eat without me)
—
“Hey good friend, can you pick me up from the airport?”
“I’ll try.” (aka ugh, have you seen the gas prices?)
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Hey, ME (insert your name), can I achieve this or that thing (insert a task that requires effort).
“I’ll try” (aka I’m not good enough; I have no intentions)
—
It is better, I guess, to admit your halfway approach to others’ requests or your own personal pursuits than to give a full-blown yes and then completely flake out. At least your “trying” sets the tone for an intent or a glimmer of belief in the possibility.
However, I encourage you to avoid “trying” altogether and just commit to a firm yes or a firm no. Then follow through.
So, if there were ever a time to heed the wisdom of a greenish-gray, two-foot tall, pointy-eared Jedi sage, this is the time to do it.
Do or not do. There is no try.