If you’re anything like me you run into this attitude a lot. Just for fun, I have been compiling a very short list of responses that diffuse rote contradiction and unnecessary conflict when I encounter this mindset.
1. “There is no try. I really think we can make this happen.”
2. “Maybe it just wasn’t the right time before. Maybe the right time is now.”
3. “Do you think I shouldn’t try?”
The last one is my favorite and almost invariably elicits an apologetic response from the other person. Nobody wants to tell somebody that they shouldn’t try to improve something — especially when they’re passionate about changing things for the better.
How do you move past the hump of mediocrity? How do you inspire others to move past it with you?
If you enjoyed this post, make sure to subscribe for regular updates!
Save and Share
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
You’ve touched on a huge, important topic in this short post. To my mind, comeback #1 is less likely to be effective, simply because the conversation (maybe just with my friends / colleagues) is likely to devolve into poor Yoda imitations.
But #2 is very good, because it short-circuits our tendency to make hard-and-fast dichotomies. It’s way too easy for folks who have been burned once — whether because of poor timing, lack of skills, lack of effort, random back luck, whatever — to assume that they’ll be burned again if they try.
And you’re absolutely right that #3 is the devastating one. I think it’s because it gently puts the skeptic on the spot: are you saying that *I* should share your cynicism? Most of us don’t embrace the cynic’s role, I think, and most of us don’t want to rain on others’ parades. So we back up and figure out how to be helpful or remove a barrier or share some wisdom, instead of falling back reflexively on our objections.