Most people don’t achieve their goals or dreams because all they do is try.
Think about a goal or dream that you have. How far are you willing to go to see it happen? What are you willing to do to make it happen? I’m not talking about breaking the law or committing a sin. I’m talking about pushing yourself and going beyond your comfort zone. I’m talking about having a singular focus that you would never give up no matter what.
There is a phrase I keep thinking about…Whatever it takes! The phrase is full of focus and determination. Many people don’t have a “Whatever it takes!” attitude when it comes to their dreams or goals. Instead what I hear more from people is a “I’ll try really hard!” attitude.
As Yoda famously said, “Do. Or do not. There is no try.”
The problem with trying is that it’s too easy to quit. We tell our kids just try the clarinet and if you don’t like it you can quit. Just try basketball for a season and if you don’t like it you can quit. That’s a perfectly fine tactic for parenting because not every child is going to enjoy sports, band, or the arts, but how will they know unless they try? What messes us up as adults is when we start applying that reasoning to our dreams and goals. I tried but it just wasn’t meant to be. I tried but it just didn’t work out. Who can fault you for trying? Right?!? Not everything works out. Not everything is meant to be.
But what if you didn’t try hard enough? I’ve heard people say…we tried marriage counseling but it didn’t work. When I press a little deeper I find out they went to one or two sessions and things got uncomfortable so they quit.
So the next time you feel like quitting on your dreams ask yourself: What if I didn’t really try everything? I’ll have people tell me that nothing works and it’s impossible so they are throwing in the towel. When I have them define “everything” it’s really just 2 or 3 things they tried.
I’ll try vs. Whatever it takes is a completely different mindset. If you truly believe this is what God has really called you to do there can be no trying, only doing. No matter how hard it is. No matter how difficult the road. No matter how impossible the obstacles. No matter how big the mountain. No matter what it costs. You must keep going! Whatever it takes! You’ll find a way, because God will help you!
The problem with trying is that it gets other people off your back when you quit. It’s a lot easier to say you tried instead of saying I gave up on my dream. The problem with trying is that it does nothing to soothe the nagging doubt inside of you that you might have given up too soon.
“Whatever it takes” will find a way. When you get stuck there is always something more you can do. Who do you know that you could ask for help (don’t forget God)? What book could you read to help?
Someone once said that “if you believe you can or you can’t–you’re right.” When you approach your calling and mission with “whatever it takes” you’ll believe that you can and will because it is your God-given purpose. If you just are “trying” it’s easy to fall on the “I can’t do this…” side. Once you’ve crossed the line of “I can’t” your dream is history.
Ephesians 2:10 reminds me that there is good work that God has planned for me to do before I was even born. Galatians 6:9 reminds me it won’t be easy and I’ll get tired and want to quit. But if I quit, what happens to the good I was supposed to do?
I wonder if one of the reasons our world is in such bad shape is because people didn’t finish the good work God planned for them. The work became too difficult, they got tired of trying and quit…but hey…at least they tried. Sure you can try approaches, methods, processes, treatments, solutions, etc. and some of them won’t work, but you can’t try dreams. You either pursue them or you don’t. The world suffers and the God-ordained good is left undone when you try.
MEMORIZE THIS:
It’s time to start living by a new mantra…”Whatever it takes!” No matter how long it takes. No matter how much it costs. No matter how impossible. Whatever it takes! So much is weighing in the balance. Now is your one and only time to make a difference. Now is your time to stop trying and start doing. People who change the world don’t try, they do whatever it takes!
Question: Which phrase have you been operating by? I’ll try or Whatever it takes? Share your answer on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
