You can’t hit a homer without swinging the bat! We’ll always have a better chance of succeeding if we try than if we don’t.

This seems so obvious once we state it or see it in writing! Yet, as a coach, I talk to many people who hesitate to try something because they’re afraid it won’t work or that they’ll fail.

At this point I ask them, “What percent chance do you have if you don’t try?” They answer, “Zero.” Then I ask them “What percent chance do you think you have if you do try?” Sometimes they take a moment to think about it, sometimes they respond immediately. Either way, their response always contains a positive number. A low number, perhaps, but never zero or minus-something (which is a mathematical impossibility for percentages).

They make their own conclusion from the proof— Any percent chance of success is always better than zero. Therefore trying is always better than not trying.

Some examples:

  • Asking our boss for something we legitimately need
  • Asking a friend for a favor
  • Finding the best-fit employment
  • Applying for a job (including uncomfortable interviews)
  • Applying to a school/university
  • Taking an entrance or certification exam
  • Entering a contest
  • Persuading someone of their need to change
  • Mending a broken relationship
  • Presenting vision, proposals, or ideas to a group, even a group of senior leaders
  • Changing something we need to change in our own lives
  • Anything worth the outcome if we succeed

Here’s an illustration of how this principle works:

Last April (2022) with Covid still raging but on the wane, our church congregation decided to have a picnic. With most in our church coming from an ethnic background that tends toward extreme caution, this was definitely a step of faith. But we thought, “Hey, it’s outdoors, and we can try it.”

A few days before the picnic date, reports of Covid cases began to spike. Then the person in charge of food-coordination and setting up found out she needed to go visit family out of town that day.

Our main planner began to panic, and approached me, the pastor’s wife. “I think we’ll have to give up,” she lamented, “It doesn’t seem like anyone will come, we don’t have anyone to take care of the food, then there’s Covid, and…” other assorted obstacles, risks, and reasons to not try.

I responded with, “Let’s try anyway. I’m sure we can get help with food and setup—people always pitch in, and I’ll help too. And even if only a few people show up, that’s better than nothing. If we cancel, no one can come, and no one can enjoy it. If we keep it on, we still have something to enjoy, good fellowship, and who knows, more may come than we expect! Let’s do our best, and leave the results up to the Lord. Nothing is impossible with Him!” (quoting Lk. 1:37 and Mat. 19:26)

“Ohhh, I don’t know,” she said, hesitantly.

“Think of it this way,” I reasoned, “If we try we have at least some percent chance of success. If we don’t, we have zero percent. Which is better?”

“Oh!”, she brightened, “I hadn’t thought of it that way! Ok, let’s go ahead and try and see what happens.”

We did. Over 40 people came, including guests, we had plenty of food, and folks pitched in to set things up and clean up afterward. With a short devotional message given by my husband we all enjoyed a fantastic “4F” time—fun, food, fellowship, and faith! No one caught Covid, and the Lord was glorified in it all.

Meanwhile, our previously discouraged and hesitant deaconess bought into a new theory for her— we’ll always have a better chance of succeeding if we try than if we don’t!

Yes, we do need to increase our probability of success by preparing for those crucial conversations, studying, researching, training, strategic planning, etc.

For example, Prov. 21:5—“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”

There’s also nothing wrong and many things right with getting help where we can. Especially from the Lord who knows all, can do all, and ensures the best.

“I can do all (these) things through Christ, Who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13

“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.” Ps. 54:4

“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” Prov. 15:22

But first we have to be willing to try. Then get ready to try. Then try!

If it’s something worth pursuing, it’s always worth a try. Any possibility beats zero. And if it doesn’t work the first time—learn, prepare more, and try again!

What do you need to change your mind about trying today?