Try or Do: The Key to Success in Sports Goals

Try or Do: The Key to Success in Sports Goals

In the world of sports, the difference between "trying" and "doing" marks the boundary between success and mediocrity. Many athletes—both professionals and amateurs—fall into the trap of "I'll try," without realizing that this mentality is often the first step toward failure. The history of great athletes is filled with decisions where it wasn’t about "trying" but about committing fully.

The Trap of "Trying"

Sports psychology has shown that language shapes our actions. When someone says, "I’ll try to run 10 kilometers," they have already left room for quitting. The brain receives a message of doubt: "If I don't make it, at least I tried." This small nuance makes the difference between those who advance and those who stay behind.

Take the case of Michael Jordan. Did he "try" to be the greatest basketball player in history? No. He decided and did it. In his biography, he recounts how, after being rejected from his high school team, he didn’t settle for "I’ll try next year." No. He committed to training every day until he became the best. And he did.

The Science Behind Absolute Commitment

A study from the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology revealed that athletes who commit to a goal with definitive words like "I will do it" are 42% more likely to achieve their objectives compared to those who use tentative phrases like "I will try." This happens because when the brain receives a firm message, it aligns its reward system with the action. It doesn’t allow itself the luxury of retreating.

A fascinating Latin American example is boxing legend Julio César Chávez. He wasn’t particularly talented in his youth, but he had an unbreakable mindset: "I will be world champion." And he was. He didn’t say, "I will try to be." His mentality made the difference.

How to Change "Trying" to "Doing"

1. Speak with certainty: Eliminate phrases like "I will try" or "if I can" from your vocabulary. Instead, use "I will do it" or "I am doing it."

2. Visualize success: Great athletes see themselves winning before it happens. Imagine achieving your goal and how you will feel when you succeed.

3. Take immediate action: Don’t wait for the "right moment." The perfect moment doesn’t exist. Take the first step today.

4. Be accountable: Commit publicly. Tell someone your goal so they can help hold you accountable.

5. Accept sacrifice: Success in sports and life requires effort. If you’re not willing to pay the price, you won’t reach the goal.

Conclusion: Are You Going to Try or Do It?

Great sports achievements weren’t written by those who "tried," but by those who decided to do. The next time you set a goal, ask yourself: Am I willing to do it without excuses? Because in the end, as Yoda said in Star Wars: "Do or do not, there is no try."