DrBillToth-Blog

Good Morning Team – We’ve all heard them from colleagues, prospects, distributors, friends and family…or we’ve been the one to say them; “TRY” – three letters related to task completion…specifically lack of completion.

Examples: I’ll try to make it to the meeting, I’m trying to clear my schedule, I tried to get there. Re Webinar: I’ll try to watch it, I’m trying to get my puter to work, or I tried but couldn’t get there, get on it, etc.

In our culture, when one uses the word “Try”, the presupposition of “task completion not required” is automatically implied (intentionally or unintentionally) and the smart listener will hear the implication and either ask questions or move on.

People wanting to be polite or lacking confidence never really answer “NO”, and instead answer; “I’ll try”, “I’m trying”, or “I tried”. We all know “FLUFF” when we hear it, and that little or zero effort may have been made to complete the task, and for some reason, they don’t want to take ownership for not completing the required task.

For those of you who have to know “why” – some studies have shown that the word “try” only activates the left brain which then causes the person internal stress. And people who are “stressed” will take the easiest path away from the pain of the “stress” which is to “NOT do” the required task.

What to do when you hear “try”, or “trying”?? Either recognize that the person is not going to complete the task and move on to find someone that will – OR ask a simple question; “What would have to happen for you to be certain that you could _____” (complete the task – as in “show up to the meeting” or watch the webinar, etc etc.). This is asking specifically “how” along with the emotion of “certain” which automatically activates both sides of the brain – which more likely results in task completion.

“There is no try; there is only DO or NOT DO”

–Yoda, Wise Jedi Master

Live with Intention,
Dr Bill