The Significance of Trying and Its Influence on Success

David Brown
4 min readMar 5, 2024

In the words of Theodore Roosevelt, “The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” This quote underscores a powerful truth: it’s all about trying. The idea that testing is all that counts is not just an inspirational mantra; it’s a profound philosophy that has the potential to redefine success. If you’re giving your 100%, you are already a success, irrespective of the outcome of your efforts.

Trying is more than just attempting. It’s about taking risks, putting yourself out, and pushing your boundaries. It’s about learning, growing, and evolving.

When we try, we learn. We acquire skills, gain insights, and expand our knowledge. Every effort we make, successful or not, adds to our intellectual depth and understanding. In the words of Ryan Holiday, “The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition.”

When we try, we build self-confidence. Each attempt, each failure, and each success teaches us that we can face challenges, overcome obstacles, and persist despite difficulties. It fosters resilience, courage, and an unshakeable belief in ourselves.

Ultimately, it is the act of trying that ignites the spark of potential within us. The catalyst propels us toward personal growth and the discovery of our unique capabilities. Embracing the willingness to try is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, reflecting our innate desire to grow, evolve, and reach new heights.

Consider the story of Thomas Edison, who famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” His relentless pursuit of success, refusal to accept defeat, and commitment to trying led him to invent the electric light bulb, among other things.

To truly inspire is to breathe life into the limitless potential within each of us. It is about awakening the spirit of possibility, igniting the flame of ambition, and fueling the engine of self-belief. Drawing inspiration from the stories of those who dared to try, we can learn to embrace uncertainty, welcome challenges, and accept failures not as setbacks but as stepping stones on our journey toward success.

Taking the Leap: Strategies for Trying

So, how can you embrace the power of trying? Here are a few strategies:

  1. Adopt a Growth Mindset: Believe in your ability to learn and grow. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.
  2. Set Realistic Goals: Start small and gradually take on more significant challenges. This will help build your confidence.
  3. Embrace Failure: Don’t fear failure. Instead, see it as an integral part of learning and growing.
  4. Keep Learning: Continually seek knowledge and insights. Remember, the more you know, the more you realize you don’t.
  5. Stay Persistent: Persevere in the face of adversity. Persistence is often the key differentiator between success and failure.

Trying is not just about making an effort; it’s about embracing challenges, taking risks, and learning from failures. It’s about daring greatly, even if that means failing greatly. So, go ahead, take the leap, try, fail, learn, grow, and emerge stronger, wiser, and more successful.

Stepping out of your comfort zone is often a daunting prospect. It involves exposing yourself to situations that may seem unnerving or intimidating. However, this discomfort is a crucial aspect of personal growth and development. When we push ourselves beyond our perceived limits when we dare to face the unknown and unfamiliar, we truly test our mettle.

The comfort zone, while seemingly safe and inviting, is a barrier that limits our potential. It fosters complacency, restricts learning, and stifles creativity. As the saying goes, “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” Similarly, we are not meant to remain tethered to the familiar and predictable. We are inherently capable of exploring, innovating, and conquering new frontiers.

We open ourselves to new experiences, ideas, and perspectives by getting uncomfortable. In these moments of discomfort, we learn the most about ourselves and the world around us. We discover hidden strengths, unveil new talents, and unearth passions we never knew existed. This exposure to the unfamiliar also enhances our adaptability, a skill crucial in life’s ever-changing landscape.

Moreover, putting yourself out there allows you to build resilience and courage. Each time you face a fear, navigate a challenge or surmount an obstacle, you become stronger and braver. Time and again, this cycle of pushing boundaries and emerging victorious cultivates robust self-confidence and an unwavering belief in your capabilities.

In the grand tapestry of personal growth, stepping into the discomfort zone and exposing yourself to new experiences are the threads that add depth, color, and intricacy. They enable you to weave a narrative of courage, resilience, and continual self-improvement. So, lean into the discomfort, embrace the unknown, and let your journey to personal growth be an adventurous exploration of the limitless potential within you.

Originally published at https://davidbrownonline.com on March 5, 2024.

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David Brown

Husband | 2x Dad 👶🏻 | Director for Frontline Freedom | MBA-Organizational Management | Outdoor Enthusiast | Trying to earn my father of the year mug.