It Starts With Trying

The other day, I was scrolling through YouTube when the same podcast kept appearing in my recommendations. After seeing it for the third time, I gave in and clicked.

75 minutes later, I was still listening and deep in thought.

It was an interview with Australian cricketer and footballer Ellyse Perry on The Imperfects podcast, and it was one of the most thoughtful conversations I've heard in a long time. There was no drama, no self-promotion, and no exaggerated life lessons. Just an honest discussion about success, disappointment, confidence, anxiety, and what it means to keep showing up when things don't go to plan.

One idea in particular stayed with me.

It Starts With Trying.

At first glance, that might seem obvious. Of course, things start with trying. Yet many of us spend a surprising amount of time waiting before we begin.

We wait until we feel confident.

We wait until we have the perfect plan.

We wait until we're sure we won't fail.

The problem is that confidence, certainty, and success often come after we take action, not before.

It might be joining a gym, applying for a new role, attending a social event, starting counselling, or simply going for a walk after months of telling yourself you should. We often think confidence comes first. More often than not, confidence comes from taking the first step.

Throughout the conversation, Perry spoke about the value her parents placed on effort rather than outcomes. The focus was not on winning, being the best, or achieving perfection. It was about being willing to participate, learn, and give things a genuine go.

One thing I particularly appreciated was the focus on effort rather than results. We can't always control outcomes. We can control whether we show up, participate, learn, and try again. Focusing on effort takes some of the pressure off and allows us to enjoy the process a little more.

That message feels particularly relevant in a world where success is often celebrated, but the many attempts behind it are rarely seen.

Whether it's improving our health, building a new habit, learning a skill, changing careers, or strengthening a relationship, the first step is rarely comfortable. There is always some uncertainty involved.

Yet trying gives us something valuable that waiting never can: information.

When we try, we learn.

We discover what works and what doesn't.

We build experience.

We gain confidence.

And sometimes we surprise ourselves…

Another theme from the podcast was the idea that our achievements do not determine our worth. This can be easy to forget. Many people tie their value to productivity, performance, appearance, income, or success. When things don't go to plan, they can feel as though they have failed as a person.

But success is something we do. It is not who we are.

Perhaps that's why trying matters so much. Trying shifts the focus away from perfection and back toward growth. It reminds us that progress is often messy, imperfect, and full of setbacks.

The people we admire most are rarely those who never struggled. More often, they are people who continued despite uncertainty, disappointment, or self-doubt.

So this week, consider where you might be waiting for confidence before taking action.

What is one small thing you could try?

Not master.

Not perfect.

… Just try.

Most of us don't need a better plan.

We don't need more motivation.

We don't need to wait until we're ready.

Often, we simply need to take the next small step.

Because confidence isn't usually the starting point.

Trying is.