About a year and a half ago, my husband and I joined up for group personal training in the park.
There are four good things about this:
- The trainer is awesome.
- Our workout buddies are hilarious. Have you ever laughed while doing push-ups? Totally possible.
- We occasionally get to lie on our backs and look at the clouds (while lifting heavy weights, but still. When was the last time you did that??)
- And, of course, muscles. (Funny story for you: my husband asked me if I had shrunk his shirts because his sleeves were getting shorter. Um, honey? I think your muscles got bigger.)
But here’s the thing: I was at training, we were moving to Manly for a couple of weeks while our timber floors were being replaced, and I said I wouldn’t be at class but I would ‘try to run.’
Think about the lack of energy behind that.
I’ll try to run.
I’ll try means I can quit anytime.
I’ll try means I’ll sort of try, if it’s convenient.
I’ll try has no backbone and zero commitment.
Try is an escape hatch we build for ourselves. I’ll try to run, but it might be too hot / cold / windy or wet. I’ll try to make it, but I might be too busy / late / tied up / stressed.
I’ll try, but I probably won’t. I’m just saying I’ll try.
What if we replace try with will? I will run, even if it’s a quick one.
Say it to yourself; the difference is incredible. The energy behind ‘I will’ feels so much stronger than ‘I’ll try.’
I will means you’re showing up for yourself, keeping a promise to yourself.
It means you can trust yourself to deliver.
Will is a commitment.
Try -- for me, anyway -- is often a lie.