When I was a kid, I would often hear, “I”m going to be…, I want to be…” As I grew into young adulthood, it changed to, “I’m in school for…, I”m working towards…, this is my first step to becoming a…” Now as I begin to reach my third decade in life, the phrase “I’m trying to…” has reached an all time high. So of course I had to define the word Trying.
As I pulled up one of my favorite sites, dictionary.com and typed in the word Trying, the first definition that appeared was, “extremely annoying, difficult, or the like; straining one’s patience and goodwill to the limit: a trying day; a trying experience.
Its funny, because this definition of Trying somewhat describes my exact sentiments when certain people including myself have used the phrase “I’m trying to.." in the past.
However, the Trying definition that is probably most valid for this blog entry is, to attempt to do or accomplish. Unfortunately I have found more often than not that when this term is used nowadays usually the exact opposite is happening.
How many times have you heard, “I”m trying to start my own business.” “I’m trying to become a designer.” or “I’m trying to save money.” How often have you said something similar about yourself?
The more I heard, “I”m trying to…”, the less I began to see the actual doings of these actions that people were trying to do. That was when I looked up the word Do. The definitions describing the word Do, were so much more vibrant and exciting, something to shout about such as, to perform, to execute, to accomplish, finish, complete, to put forth; exert: Do your best.
I began to think about the inquiry that usually begets the phrase, “I’m trying to…” It is usually the question, “What are you doing? or maybe “How are you doing?” So why not answer with what you are actually doing, not what you are trying to do?
Stop trying and begin doing, and you will see your accomplishments begin to add up right before your eyes. In the end there are many things you have to try, and many people have given and received the E for Effort award. But its what you Do that will put a stamp on who you are, and if you are in the act of trying to become somebody greater than you are today, then the most fitting question would be what are you doing today that signifies who you are trying to become tomorrow?
Here is a great example of someone becoming a lawyer, who may have said, “I’m trying to become a lawyer.” A more fitting answer of one’s journey to become a lawyer could very well be, “I”m studying for the Bar exam. I just passed the test and will start law school in the fall. I’m searching for a law firm daily. The list can go on and on as you continue to progress.
So when weighing the phrase, “I’m trying to…” I truly believe it to be a phrase that should remain a Blip on the Radar, because Doing is so much more fun and you get so much more accomplished.
Weighing the phrase “I’m trying to…”
Submitted by: Jamees Wright
Weight Total: 200 lbs
