I’m going to venture briefly into politics. But first some disclaimers. Though my reflection has been generated by former President Clinton’s tirade this past Sunday, and though I personally cannot stand Clinton the man, and though I have some significant political differences from Clinton the President, this screed isn’t aimed at Clinton. It could be aimed at just about any ol’ politician out there.
So, here goes.
We do not elect you to “try.” We elect you to “do.” As the Great One, Yoda, has said. “There is no try. Only do.”
Trying is for elementary school, when little children must be taught to attempt in the face of possible failure. Little children need to develop self-confidence and fear of failure will paralyze them from even acting if they are not encouraged to attempt the deed, even in the face of failure.
But politicians–though they often act the part–are not children. They are adults. And adults know that trying isn’t enough.
Would we say to our boss as we present him with our failure to complete the marketing presentation, “Well, sir I tried. I tried and failed. But at least I tried. In fact, I tried a lot. Several times. But I failed. I definitely tried more than the other guy. But I still failed. Still and all, I tried, doggone it”?
Let’s just say that if we “tried” that on our boss we would get fired.
Or, would we say to our spouse, “You know, I tried not to spend the house payment on the new entertainment system, but I failed. I tried a lot, but I still failed. I tried more than that husband next door. I mean, I tried”? Let’s just say a frying pan upside the head would be a normal and perfectly acceptable response.
Trying is for little children who don’t have good self-esteem. Doing–or not doing–is for adults.
It’s not about trying. It’s about accomplishing. If a politician cannot accomplish what we send him or her to office to do, then we have no need to send them back. No matter how often or how hard they tried.
When Clinton sounded his refrain this past Sunday, all I could think of was, “Do you want a sticker?” I give stickers to our daughter, Sofie, when she remembers to say thank you. Sometimes she forgets. So she doesn’t get a sticker. Sometimes she tries to pick up all her toys, but once in a while she misses some toys, or she needs me to pick them up with her. Sometimes I do more picking up than she does. That’s what mommies and daddies do with their three year olds. Clinton just came off as a pouty little kid–”Well, I tried! Give me a gold star!” And he’s not the only one. Other politicians pull the same crap. “Well, we would have passed this bill, but those no good opponents of ours blocked it. But hey, we tried!” Sure, Sparky, here’s your gold star. Now get out of the way so we can put someone in there who will not try, but do.
What we citizens need to remember is that politicians don’t get gold stars. We don’t as spouses. We don’t as employees. We don’t as parents. And we shouldn’t. Because part of being an adult is realizing trying isn’t good enough.
Doing is what is required.
i agree, but trying is the fist step in doing.
better than doing nothing at al
I think Yoda said “Try you not, do you must”