Defeat

While I’m not a huge sci-fi fan, I think  Yoda summed up this topic pretty well:  “Do or do not.  There is no try”.  The key is in the second sentence:  “There is no try”.  If we say “I’ll try”, what we are really saying is I do not believe I can.  We are giving ourselves an out:  “I didn’t say I’d do it, just that I’d try”.  In all likelihood, by uttering “I’ll try” you’ve just committed to defeat.  Ugly.

Yoda’s guidance in the first sentence — do of do not — outlines the key to overcoming defeat.  To achieve success and overcome defeat, you must first make a commitment to the task at hand.  You will either “do it” or “not”.  Don’t waste your time “trying” as going after the task at hand with this attitude starts you on the wrong path.  Committing to “doing it” sets you on the path to success.  Your brain’s aligned with your actions and good things are likely going to happen.  It’s a powerful concept that can motivate billions.  If you doubt this see how Nike’s sales have done since they adopted their “Just Do It” tag line.

Now I’m not naïve enough to believe that simply committing to a task at hand will ensure your success.  However, I do truly believe that without commitment you are in all likelihood not going to achieve what you intend.  That’s why I’m in agreement with the little green guy: either make a commitment to accomplish the task or put it aside — don’t waste your time trying.

With that in mind:

What will you do today?

As always, thanks for the time.

(Credit to Sandra Ford Walston  for motivating this post)