Battle Cry of Wimps
The Battle Cry of Wimps
When someone use to ask me to do something that I wasn’t sure I could achieve, or that I didn’t want to do, I always use to say… “I’m not sure, but I’ll TRY!
In other words when you hear someone say they’ll “TRY” – what they’re really saying is they don’t think they can, or they don’t want to.
I was home visiting my family up in Connecticut, and I saw an old friend. I told him I’d be at a specific restaurant with my dad and for him to stop by. He looked down, and then looked at me and said… “I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’ll try.”
Do you think I ever saw him that night? NOT a chance! However, I knew after hearing his reply (I’ll try) that it was highly unlikely.
First – Remove the word TRY from your vocabulary. It’s either you will, or you won’t. There is NO TRY!
Second – If you ever hear someone say the words…I’ll TRY – know immediately that they don’t think they can, or they don’t want to.
Here’s how to combat the battle cry of wimps… When someone answers you with “I’ll Try” ask a few questions.
Here’s a few scenarios…
- John, do you think you can have that report to me by 5:00pm today? If John replies… “I’ll try,” you simple say… “John, does that mean you’ll get it done on schedule”? John can now only respond with a yes, or no. By asking this simple question you’ll know by John’s reply whether or not you’ll see that report at 5:00pm or not.
- If you want a specific task done, the best way to know if it will be completed is to give that person a deadline. Then ask… “Do you think you can manage to accomplish this task by then”. You’ll either hear yes, or – I’ll try. Rarely will anyone say NO! However, if you hear the dreaded battle cry of wimps (I’ll try) you now have to respond with another question. A question like… “So what you’re saying Sally is that you don’t understand the task completely, or you need more time? Then just wait for the answer.
Leave me a question or comment below, and let me know what you think – Thanks!
Glen Andrews
