I cannot remember exactly where this is from (I think it might be from Straight-Line Leadership by Dusan Djukich, the book I read once a quarter to put me back on track), but here is the difference between being involved and being committed:
If you have a breakfast of bacon and eggs, the chicken was involved but the pig was fully committed.
It's the same with 'giving it a try'.
Imagine you’re thinking about applying for a high-level promotion. You want the job, but you tell yourself, "I’ll give it a try, but I probably won’t get it."
On the surface, you go through the motions—updating your CV, applying, and preparing for the interview. But deep down, your lack of commitment impacts your actions.
You might not prepare as thoroughly as you should.
You won’t advocate for yourself because you've already decided it's unlikely you'll be chosen.
This hesitation shows up in your body language, your energy, and how you present your achievements. Others notice it too, and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
When you don't get the job, you think, “See, I knew it wouldn’t happen.”
Now, consider someone fully committed to the same promotion. They approach it not with a mindset of "let’s see what happens" but with the belief that they are the person for this role.
Their preparation is thorough, their energy focused, and they walk into the interview with certainty. Even if they don’t get the job, their commitment keeps them moving forward, confident that success is just a matter of time.
Why ‘Giving it a Try’ Doesn’t Work
Saying “I’ll give it a try” is a cop-out. It’s half-hearted, and it rarely leads to success. There’s a huge difference between trying and committing. Trying leaves room for hesitation and uncertainty, while commitment means you’re fully invested.
Commitment is not just about actions; it’s about how you show up. When you're committed, you've already decided that the outcome is inevitable. There's no fallback plan. You're all in. Your actions align with this identity, driving energy, persistence, and clarity. You don’t second-guess your choices, and failure isn’t an option.
On the other hand, when you say you’re “trying,” you’re preparing for failure. It’s a safer option because, if things don’t work out, you can tell yourself, “I wasn’t really expecting success anyway.”
But that mindset limits your potential. You won’t push yourself as hard, take the necessary risks, or fully engage in the process.
Why Commitment Leads to Greater Success
Shifting from "trying" to "committing" is a decision you can make at any time. It requires honesty and courage to acknowledge how we protect ourselves from potential failure and disappointment.
But once you choose to fully commit, everything changes. You become the person who already has the outcome, even before it materializes.
This shift isn’t easy. It requires you to let go of the safety net of "giving it a try" and fully invest in your goals.
While commitment involves more risk, it also offers greater rewards—achievement, growth, and satisfaction.
Stop ‘giving it a try’. Commit fully. Success will follow.