068: Keep Trying (but Not So Hard)

I recall a coach telling his players during a conditioning session: "Find your try...and keep trying!"

File that away for useful motivation when you'd rather not...try, that is.

When you lose your "try" its difficult to maintain any semblance of movement or momentum.

That can happen mentally, emotionally, and certainly physically.

On the other hand you can keep trying...and trying...and trying and wind up tired, frustrated, overwhelmed, or burned-out depending on the focus of your effort.

Indeed, keep trying but...not so hard.

Biblical wisdom delivers on that thought:

"...learn to live freely and lightly." - Jesus, Matthew 11:30, The Message.

Stop trying so hard - a life of freedom and ease is a more compelling way to live

I'm guilty of trying too hard on occasion and I suspect you are as well.

Perhaps you try too hard in relationships, in conversations, in attempts to be relevant, or in situations when its best to keep opinions to oneself.

• Keep trying but slow down
• Keep trying without over doing it
• Keep trying and accept imperfect results

Slow down on purpose

As you age, you've likely discovered that slowing down goes with the territory.

Like the check-engine light on your vehicle's dashboard, your body will naturally alert you when you its necessary to slow down and check under-the-hood.

That's a good default mechanism physically, mentally, and emotionally speaking.

Even more beneficial is building some intentional "slowness" into your life - slowing down on purpose!

Sometimes you need to simply slow-your-roll and give yourself permission to "learn" some ease and lightness (as Jesus said).

• Its okay to slow down when you feel overwhelmed.
• Its okay to slow down when you need a break from too much media noise and not enough meaningful input.
• It's okay to slow down when you see changes in your future.

Do the essential

What you think must be done might not be necessary.

And what you think is necessary might not be essential.

If you have a choice - do what's essential!

“You cannot overestimate the unimportance of practically everything.”

― Greg McKeown, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

You might want to re-read that.

As you age you must learn to distinguish between what's unimportant and what's essential.

Your wisdom and legacy expands based on what you're willing to let go of.

• What beliefs, opinions, or lifestyle decisions do you hold that have lost their relevance?
• How are you preventing non-essential things from overtaking your capacity to grow and expand your knowledge, beliefs, and wisdom?
• When are you most likely to replace the essential with the trivial?

Spend some time with those questions and I believe you'll begin to lighten your load and start carrying the essentials.

Accept imperfection

If there was a trophy for trying too hard it would be inscribed somewhere with the word "perfect."

Perfection-syndrome drains your physical, mental, and emotional reserves.

As the saying goes, "Good enough never is..."

You can try and then try harder but someone or some thing is always moving the goal line.

The best counter-measure for perfection-syndrome is to keep trying, learn and grow as you do, and discover the freedom in accepting imperfection.

• Accept imperfection by taking action to improve instead of beating yourself up over where you messed up.
• Accept imperfection by treating failure as a growth experience instead of an excuse for not trying.
• Accept imperfection in others to keep your self-awareness in check instead of expecting others to live up to your standards.

No one or no thing is perfect and when you accept that you'll truly be free from the unhealthy expectations of trying too hard to prove otherwise.

Keep trying but not so hard if you want to be free and easy as you age

• Slow down
• Stick with the essentials
• Steer clear of perfection-syndrome

Press on...

Eddie