***Do, Or Do Not - There Is No Try

Did you know that you can increase your ability to achieve success by consciously choosing the right words? It's true! Let us say you are motivated and excited to create change in your life. You have even gone so far as to put your well-formed goals down in writing. From there, you determined your first steps and you know exactly what is it you're going to do. You choose your action step, and then . . .

. . . Then you inadvertently cripple your success before you even begin. You say, "I'll try."

When you say "I'll try" you are giving yourself an out. Sure, you will move forward if everything falls into place and your day happens to run smoothly. However, should some obstacle surface, you now have a built in escape route that gets you off the hook.

The phrase, "I'll try" lacks intention and confidence. You are sowing doubt in the back of your own mind. In the foreground, you have optimism, but underneath you are saying, "Alright, I'll give it a go, but if things get difficult I can always back out."

Do, or do not. There is no try.
In the movie Starwars, the character Yoda was a 900 year old revered Jedi Master who was very powerful in the Force. He had trained Jedi for eight centuries, and among his last pupils was the young and reckless Luke Skywalker. In an attempt to help Luke "unlearn" his preconceptions, he counselled, "Do, or do not. There is no try." In other words, that is Yoda speak for "just do it."

To make your goal successful, trade the phrase, "I'll try" for "I am now . . ." For example, instead of saying, "I'll try to meet my goal of weight loss by walking 20 minutes today" say, "I am now committed to honoring my decision to walk 20 minutes today."

Ensure Your Success
However, what happens when you say, "I will" and it does not feel right? Then you have selected a goal that is too big for today. The action step you chose is not your natural first step. Back up and find the action step you are ready and willing to take. It does not matter how small and insignificant that step may seem. You are far better off starting with something teeny-tiny and achieving success, than starting with an action that you already know will lead to failure or loss of motivation. The wise philosopher Lao-Tzu once stated, "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." Confucius pronounced, "It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop." Make sure you are able to complete your first step.

"I am now . . ."
The phrase "I am now . . ." provides direction and clarity. It gives you power and intention. You believe in what you are saying and you will find a way to make it happen. You have made a commitment to yourself that you choose to honor. By making this small change in language, you empower yourself to find a way to move forward and succeed with your action, even if other life situations get in the way. When difficulties pop up, you will find some way to stick with your intention.

Right now, choose the one action that seems doable for the energy and motivation you have today. Now, instead of saying, "I'll try to get that done today" declare whole-heartedly, "I am now taking this action!" By making this one small shift, you can make your success inevitable.