by Brent Combrink

Luke: “All right, I'll give it a try.”

Yoda: “No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try.”

Perhaps Yoda, in Star Wars Episode V, has been over-quoted lately, but “try” is not always negative. True, trying something is different from committing to it, yet trying something out is also accepting that failure is possible -- we are open to experimenting and taking a chance on success.

When you catch yourself using “try”, check what this means for your intentions and expectations: are you lacking commitment or are you open to surprise and serendipity?

A useful place to use “try” is in sales: inviting your client to try out your product or service suggests that the commitment is not carved in stone. Like wine-tasting: if you don’t like the “try”, you don’t have to drink the whole bottle!

Try a different perspective of “try”!

Need to clarify your communication?  Find out how in our 1-day workshop Communicate Meaningfully, or our 2-day Improving Workplace Relations workshop, delivered in your boardroom or to complement your team building retreat.  Get more info at +27 (0)21 683 7575 or \n This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Brent Combrink is the founding owner of ProMentor, which has helped hundreds of professionals, entrepreneurs and teams in Southern Africa to grow themselves and their businesses.  Contact Brent at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .

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