Trying and doing

[valarltd]

One of my least favorite quotes in the universe is "Do or do not. There is no try."

There absolutely is "try." It occurs when you have put out the needed effort, and the success of the venture is dependent on others.

When you have written the story, edited and submitted it, you have tried.
When you have done all you can do, and still failed through no fault of your own (say roads iced so thick you can't tell where they stop and the ditch begins), you have tried.

Some would argue that you are still doing.
No, you're failing at your objective, so you are not reaching "do." You are still at "do not" despite putting out everything you have, despite doing all you can.

When it would have gone off, if everyone around you had not dropped the ball, that is a try.
When you have done, and are awaiting the judgement of others on your success, that is a try.
When you are in the process of doing, but accomplishment is not yet in sight, you are trying.
When you accomplish most of what you wanted and can live with the rest, that is trying.
When you do things by the directions and the outcome is still unexpected, that is a try. (I have this issue with pasta)

I put out the effort in the prescribed ways to create a result. The universe around me determines whether I accomplish my goal or not. The outcome may or may not be what I want.

All we have, in the end, is try.

Comments

[marlowe1.livejournal.com]

I tend to use this phrase whenever I am stuck talking to a friend who is talking about some project that he wants to do but he doesn't want the implications and i know that he's just blabbing for the sake of feeling important.

In that case, it's the equivalent of "shit or get off the toilet."

But not as gross.

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

That's not even trying. That's just talking about it. I'm the one who would just say "Shit or get off the pot."

[stormsdotter.livejournal.com]

THANK you. Yoda's example was great, *when everything was just on Luke's shoulders.* The instant you involve other people, Trying becomes an issue.

The D-Man Checks In:

[(Anonymous)]

Now by contrast, "Do, or do not; there is no try..." That is one of my favorite, and oft' used quotes (when I counsel my clients at work). I think you miss the point. Perhaps it should be better said: "Commit or don't commit; there is no maybe I will."

Choosing to "do" something does not bring with it any guarantee of success, or even the intended outcome. As soon as you commit to doing something you have already moved from and nix'ed the "do not" option. Whether of not you succeed after that is a whole new ball of wax.

When it would have gone off, if everyone around you had not dropped the ball, that is a did. You chose to do; it is not your fault it didn't work because others screwed up.

When you have done, and are awaiting the judgement of others on your success, that is a did. You chose to do; it is now just waiting to see if others approve of the outcome your choice to do something meets.

When you are in the process of doing, but accomplishment is not yet in sight, you are doing. It is, after all, a process.

When you accomplish most of what you wanted and can live with the rest, that is you did your best.

When you do things by the directions and the outcome is still unexpected, that is still a do. (I have similar issues with pasta)

Commit or don't commit. There is no half-ass'ing it. Once you start... Finish. If you ain't gonna put forth the effort needed to do something right, then don't start. If you are gonna quit when the going gets tough, then don't start. Success is never a given.

Re: The D-Man Checks In:

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

See, I read it as "Accomplish it or fail, there is no middle ground and effort is worthless without success."
"Try" is the middle ground between effort and success.