The word that halts your healing progress

I bet you say this all the time:

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I'll "try."⁣

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I'll try these foam rolling moves. 

I'll try to work on them this weekend. 

Julia, I'm 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 to figure out how to get rid of my pain!⁣

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Sound like you?⁣

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No judgement here! I used to do the same thing (and occasionally still catch myself). I've been reflecting this week on what a profound impact it has had on my life to remove the word "try" from my normal vocabulary however, and feel called to offer this insight to you.

I learned just how much I was using this word back in September. I was on my first Zoom call for a program called Training Camp for the Soul, which is an incredible course that helps with your mindset and cultivating the results and experiences you truly want in your life. 

The facilitator, Anat, asked me: "What's an activity that makes you super happy and fills up your cup?"

Me: "Being in the mountains. Hiking, climbing, and even just driving through."

Anat: "Can you go up into the mountains and spend time there this weekend?"

Me: "Yeah sure I'll try to go."

Silence for a moment.

Anat: "Can you try to stand up right now?" 

I awkwardly paused but then stood up off the couch.

She laughed gently. "You didn't 'try' to stand up. You did stand up. I’m looking for the same, definitive answer to my question. Are you going to go into the mountains this weekend or not? ‘Trying’ is not a commitment."

I had never thought about that before. I wondered how often I was "giving myself an out” with my language and therefore missing an opportunity to simply DO what I wanted or needed. 

The word try qualifies as soft talk, which is "the excessive use of softening words to create ambiguity, uncertainty, and avoidance." (Mark England, Procabulary). These words and phrases take away your power and resolution, and can drastically slow (or inhibit!) your progress towards your goals.

Soft talk includes words/phrases such as:

• Try
• Like
• Just
• Maybe
• Probably
• Should
• Could
• Perhaps
• Might
• I guess
• I don't know

If you are looking for a great challenge, cut all these words out of your sentences whenever possible or appropriate. 

In the context of your healing journey, I want to strongly encourage you to at least eliminate "try."

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"I'll try" is ambiguous. You'll likely feel uncommitted to whatever you said and be unlikely to move forward with it.⁣

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ARE you or AREN'T you going to do it?⁣

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"I should probably try to do something about this back pain” and⁣ "I'm going to do something about my back pain. Starting with foam rolling tonight at 7 pm"⁣ tells your subconscious two very different things. ⁣One is flaky and vague, one entices action and accountability.

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Practice translating your sentences into clear, definitive statements.

“ Maybe I’ll try to do some self care today” becomes “I will do some self care today.” 

“I’m trying to heal from this knee pain” becomes “I AM healing from this knee pain!”

Can you feel the difference? 

Say that first sentence ("Maybe I'll try to do some self care today”) out loud to yourself and see what it tangibly feels like in your body. Does it resonate with you? Does it feel good? Empowering? 

Now say the translated sentence (“I will do some self care today”). Do you feel clear? Aligned? Excited to take action? I hope so!

Strong, clear language, is an unbelievably powerful tool when it comes to relieving pain. Even if you are simply saying it to yourself in your head. Changing the words in your head can actually change your internal physical environment. 

Take out the "try", and watch how your mindset shifts and how ACTION towards what you want begins!

I’m so excited to hear how this goes for you! Need smore support with your mindset and help solving your chronic pain? Book a one on one session with me.