Today I’m spilling the beans on an oh-so cunning “get out of jail free card”.

A crafty loophole which absolves you of any blame and which lets you proclaim your innocence whenever you mess something up.

You can use it at work (great for when you miss a critical deadline or make a mistake) or in your personal life (to soften the blow when something doesn’t go according to plan).

You can even use it to take pressure off yourself.

So how exactly does this skulduggery work?

Well, it all comes down to one word.  

A word so tiny and bland you probably use it without even realising.

I talk of the word “try”.

See, “trying” leaves failing open as an option.  It lets you hedge your bets and gives you an escape route whenever something doesn't go quite as expected.

When you try your best but you don’t succeed – well, you’ve tried.  No-one can blame you.

But I must warn you…

“Trying” comes with downsides too.  And this is the real point I want to make.

See, for the last few weeks I’ve tried to keep my balcony herb garden alive (parsley, sage and thyme, in case you're wondering).  I’ve tried to be more frugal.  And I’ve tried not to skip my warm-up sets in the gym.

But I must admit that none of these are going particularly well.

(don’t tell my PT Zack)

And I think “trying” is the reason why.  In this context, “trying” is really a codeword for “I’m not that committed”.

Now here’s why all this matters:

If there is something you want to do (really want to do), "trying" could be the very thing that gets in your way.  "Trying" could be setting yourself up to fail.

So instead of "trying" (as I suggested earlier), you might benefit from banishing the word “try” from your lingo.  From your conversations, texts & emails and your own internal chatter.  And finding other, more suitable words, to replace it.

This way, instead of trying to do something...

Or talking about trying to do something...

You're just doing it.

That’s my suggestion for today.

Could be worth a try perhaps?

Enough said!

 - Tom

p.s. For the next 3 weeks, I’ve opened up my calendar for free, 45 minute coaching sessions for anyone who'd like one.

Here's the booking link:

https://calendly.com/followingfulfilment

The sessions are perfect if you'd like help overcoming a specific challenge or obstacle.  Or if you're simply just curious about coaching.

And if you are curious – or intrigued, or would like to find out more – try not to hit reply and email me any questions you have.

But if you’re unsuccessful and you do, I’ll email you back.  And I’ll give you my honest responses.