The title Stop Trying immediately caught my attention.
My whole life, “trying” has been my way of exploring.
Testing out new ideas, new roles, new possibilities.
It’s been a word that gave me permission to be curious without pressure.
So, when I saw a book suggesting the opposite.
That we should stop trying.
I had to find out why.
What Stood Out
Throughout the book, author Carla Ondrasik, argues that “trying” is often an excuse for not doing.
Three ideas really stayed with me:
- We use “trying” to mask fear or lack of motivation.
- Trying lets us wander without a clear destination.
- Trying prevents us from taking real action.
What surprised me most was the exploration of how early this mindset takes root.
Well-meaning parents and teachers told us to “just try,” and “keep trying”.
Embedding the idea that trying was a mark of effort and virtue.
My Perspective
As I read, I began noticing how often I say “I’m trying” in my own work and life.
It sneaks into conversations and to-do lists, softening the edges of my commitment.
“I’m going to try to finish this today” really means “I might”.
Now, I’m replacing “try” with “do”.
If I’m not going to do it, I will assess why.
Carla writes, “When you eliminate the try and replace it with do, you instantly shift your mindset.”
That line hit home.
It’s such a simple reframe, yet it has real power.
It connects with my writing around acting with agency.
Leading our life instead of negotiating with it.
Putting this into practice isn’t easy.
“Try” feels comfortable.
It gives us an escape hatch.
But once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
Awareness begins to shift how we move through our days.
Who Should Read It
This book is for anyone who can’t quite figure out why certain goals remain stuck on repeat.
If you find yourself saying “I’m trying” more often than “I did”, you’ll find both insight and motivation in this book.
If you’re looking for a deep exploration, this isn’t that.
Stop Trying is a mirror held up to your everyday habits.
Your Turn
Where in your life are you “trying” instead of doing?
What fears or stories might be hiding behind the word “try”?
How would your energy shift if you simply decided to “do”?