In my post New Blog Focus–2013 Marine Corps Marathon, I announced publicly my goal of running a sub 3:30 at the 2013 Marine Corps Marathon.
In that post, I didn’t allow myself to use words like: if I can, attempting, maybe, possibly or the dreaded “try".
What is trying?
My definition: Trying is making an attempt to do something, it doesn’t mean that you will succeed or that you need to overcome obstacles to do what you set out to do. Using “try’ means that you have the excuse that I “tried” when you don’t succeed.
Therefore, shouldn’t I just try to prepare for MCM 2013? That way if I don’t succeed I can say that “I tried”.
All too often in the past I know that I have used the excuse “well I tried”, after a race or something else in my life. When in fact I didn’t do as much as I should have to either prepare or push myself to finish or do what I had originally set as my goal.
Therefore, I am not trying to prepare for that MCM 2013!
Yoda Wisdom
I have always been a Star Wars fan and this scene is one of my favorites.
Unfortunately, at times I forget Yoda’s advice and simply try, instead of do.
The Power of “I Will”
I will prepare properly for MCM 2013 and I will run the race in under 3:30:00
No I am not arrogant or cocky, but I am confident that I will succeed in my MCM 2013 goal and I have purposely stopped using language that subconsciously sabotages my efforts or gives me an excuse to fail.
In other words I am not giving myself any outs or excuses that “I tried” and didn’t succeed.
The reality is that
the words we use, when we talk about something that we want to do are very, very powerful! If we use the words that convey indeciveness, instead of “I will do it”, are we subconsciously conveying the message to ourselves and others that as long as we “tried” that is good enough?
All too often, I believe that is the case. I know that it has been that way in my life, there have been too many things that I have gone into with the idea that I would “try” to do it and wasn’t successful, but it was okay because I tried.
I have reached the point in my life where trying is not enough, instead I am going to do more and if I am not successful the first time around, I will look for the why I didn’t succeed and work on changing what needs changing to be successful.
This is one of those things, that I learned about myself over the last year and I know it will make a big difference in how I look at and do what I set out to do.
Final Thoughts
Which words are you using when you set your goals or think about things you want to get done?
- The language of ummm, maybe, possibly, or I will try?
- What would happen if you started to say I can or I will?
Success or failure often is all about the words you use, it sets the tone and attitude for what you actually do.
What do you think?
If in future posts, you see me using the dreaded words of indecision or try, please call me on it.
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Running Hutch
September 3, 2012 at 10:24 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My first response is to think, “Wow, that’s harsh”. But I think you’re right. I think we shouldn’t be so afraid to fail that we need to tell ourselves we will only “try”. I’ve “tried” to do a lot of things that didn’t work out and I have some lingering regrets there. I think if I would’ve gone all out, I still might’ve failed but I would’ve had less regrets. It’s important to know that you put everything you had into going after your goal. Good luck! Be strong! You got this!
Harold L. Shaw
September 3, 2012 at 12:18 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hutch – I didn’t mean to be harsh, just honest from my perspective. Like you I have tried at many things and looking back with 20/20 hindsight I could have done more before hand or during to have been successful – but I always had the ‘out’ that as long as I tried that was enough. Now I know differently – I need to do more instead of simply try. I will succeed at this goal and many others because I am changing my mindset from trying to doing, along with the support of people like you over the next few years.
Heather@Just a Colorado Gal
September 3, 2012 at 10:40 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love this! I have a big goal (that I have yet to make public) that I’m shooting for in about 1.5 years. I need to adopt you mentality on that one
Harold L. Shaw
September 3, 2012 at 12:15 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Heather – Just go for it! I did mine early so that I could have people like you support and hold me accountable as I keep progressing towards this goal. You know that we will support you in your endeavor.
Aaron Smith
September 3, 2012 at 11:18 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think you’re in there man!
Coco
September 3, 2012 at 11:29 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I understand the power of this, but I have a hard time setting specific goals that I don’t have full control over – such as losing x pounds in a week or running a race in x time. I will make the plans and do the work to reach those goals, but hesitate to put them out there.
Harold L. Shaw
September 3, 2012 at 12:13 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Coco – The thing is and I have finally learned that you do have to put them out there as an I will do it, instead of okay I will try. We have more control over what happens than we realize – we just have to be willing to do it. Even if we don’t have full control over something, we do have control over what we put in our mouths and what we do with our time. Stuff happens and you don’t make or do what you wanted. That is okay, look at what you did do and change what you can to be more successful. But the thing is to recognized what didn’t work, improve what you can and be persistent towards your goals. It might even turn out that your goal is not realistic and that you have to modify the goal to fit what you can do versus what you want to do.
Runninglovingliving (@tonee78)
September 3, 2012 at 7:17 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I love this!!!! How manny times do we say I will try and then fail to succeed because we allow the doubt of our abilities sink in…..I am all with you by saying “I will” gives us the confidence to succeed and none of the doubt! I have no doubts that you will accomplish your goal in 2013!!!!!
jfoyohealth
September 3, 2012 at 10:03 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I think Yoda said it best, do or do not, there is no try. With the right mind set, All is possible.
Harold L. Shaw
September 4, 2012 at 7:05 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Isn’t that the truth
.
David H.
September 4, 2012 at 9:07 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
The power of words is amazing. Negativity breeds negativity, and there are several bloggers or people on Twitter I have had to void out of my life simply because of their word choice that they don’t think is a big deal (but shows up on race day). I love setting a goal, putting in out there, and then going for it. If I fall short, I simply take those lessons learn and apply it to the next race or training cycle.
Harold L. Shaw
September 4, 2012 at 9:11 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
David – I think we are on the same page. I agree with you and that is why I put it out there, the other runners on Runchat will help me achieve this goal, just like I will help them achieve their goals. If I fall short, I will figure out what I need to do to differently in the future
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September 4, 2012 at 10:34 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
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