Put a pencil in your hand. Now, try to put the pencil down.

One of two things just happened: You were successful or you weren’t. Either you put the pencil down or you didn’t. The action of “trying” doesn’t really exist. Except in rugby.

If you tell someone that you’re going to “try” to do something, what they hear is that you “will” do that thing. After all, the definition of “try” is to make an effort to accomplish a task. The result of the “try” is either success or failure.

When I tell you that I will try to do something, I leave myself wiggle room; I give myself permission to fail. I’d rather be bold enough and honest enough to state my intention to do something or not, and to deal with the outcomes of my efforts.

This was inspired by Seth, although I agree with Jim.