Nothing exemplifies the futility of trying more than the myth of King Sisyphus. Sisyphus was doomed to push a boulder up the hill only to have it roll back down, day after day. The activity of “trying” is a pretense that masks failure. To try is to neither do, nor not do. If I ask you to try to pick up a book, you either pick it up or you don’t. Trying is an in-between state that actually means something hasn’t been accomplished.
Efforts are good. Doing what needs to be done, whether successful or not, gives us a chance to analyze and figure out what can be done better and what works. Trying, on the other hand, is often seen as the end, not just a process. I tried. In other words, I didn’t do what I wanted to do, but I’d like an A for effort.
How about “I did the best I could based on my ability and interest. The result isn’t what I’d wanted, so I’m going to figure out how I can do it better next time.”
But trying and failing without looking at how to improve mirrors the boulder going up the hill and rolling back down. Sisyphus tried hard every day. He strained and sweated in order to move the boulder. In fact, his great achievement was how hard he tried. And it didn’t do any good.
I don’t want to be like Sisyphus. I don’t want to say I tried to do anything. If I give something my best shot, I want it to truly be my best effort. If it doesn’t pan out, I’d better get back to the drawing board and find out why. There’s a truth in Sisyphus’ situation that echoes the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results.
Let’s be sane. See you tomorrow!
Last April I did something different when I began the Evolv™ e84 BURN challenge. Instead of hoping every morning that my weight would have changed overnight – that my walking plan would finally begin showing results – I made a positive change for my health and weight. Now, after shedding 20+ pounds and 12 inches, I don’t worry about trying anymore, I’m doing. Check out your e84 challenge package at www.sharonhayward.myevolv.com. Contact me while you’re there or call me at 616-450-8531. Joe Manzanares is always good for a few answers, too! Call him at 303-923-8061.
Good food for thought! If one is mindful and doesn’t regard negative results as absolute, he/she then has the freedom to implement different tactics or move on if desire is no longer there.
And, what a great picture !
oh I don’t know. “to try” could still have some positive meaning. “I tried to kiss you on the lips but instead fell face forward into your bosum.” So long as his intention is different than the result, the awkward adolescent is redeemed. what he was TRYING to do explains his attitude and mindset. So often the results are not what we were trying to achieve. I try to make friends, but instead I make a lot of enemies…. so what does that mean? That I wasn’t serious about making friends? or the other person tries to make enemies but people love him anyway. Well … there is also conscious intention and unconscious goals. “I was trying to be nice” but unconsciously I wanted to do damage. Hmm…
I’m still trying to understand your point of view!
My point of view: I hear people talk about “trying” all the time (I tried to remember, I tried to budget, I tried to get up early) … the fact is that they didn’t. I get that so often we don’t end up doing exactly what we want the first time – and maybe you’re saying that falling into the bosom isn’t so bad – but what I see is people confusing trying with no need to give it any more attention or figure out why something didn’t work. It can be a cop out. That’s all.
I find it in myself ALL the time! I fool myself with the times I think that I “tried” to do something, and think that it’s all about the trying, instead of being honest with myself and saying, “hey, Shar, that didn’t work out so well, what can you do differently?”
Daniel – you are all about the outliers! It’s part of your earnest charm, my friend!