I don’t know who needs to hear this (me 🙋🏾♀️) but it’s time to stop being afraid of being seen trying. “Bri wth are you talking about now? 🙄” I gotchu.
A few years back, a mentor of mine used to say something along the lines of: “There’s no such thing as trying.” Until recently, I really resonated with that statement. I mean why try when you can do?
BUT I think it’s time to run that back and identify what it really means to try and why so many people hate doing it.
Active Trying vs Passive Trying
According to Oxford Dictionary, to try means: to make an attempt or effort to do something. And to “do” is simply defined as to “perform.”
The actual issue people have is when ‘try’ is used as an idea rather than an action. For instance, when someone says, “Ooh I want to try ABC,” but they don’t act on it. That kind of passive behavior gives the word try a bad rep.
Let’s clear my good sis’s name.
In recent days, actively trying something is viewed as corny. From my observation, if you ask the social media masses being a “try hard” is lame and deemed as clout chasing or a wanna be. (Editor's Note: This is not to be confused with weird, invasive, disingenuous behavior. Don’t be weird. Trying ≠ weird.)
I WANT to be seen, I WANT my work to be applauded, I WANT to be appreciated for the effort I put into a project. I take pride in the hours of work I put into it and if I have to rally the troops to see it, so be it. People are inundated with content 24/7, the chances of someone organically reaching your work with no marketing on your part is slim to none.
So what are you gonna do? Try. Want to be reposted by your favorite brand or creator? Try. Want to be featured in a news article? Try. Want to learn a new skill? Try.
My motto: “Be The Woman Who You Would Look Up To”
The first step is TRYing then you BEcome.
Tyler The Creator said something in a recent interview that has stuck with me ever since I heard it. Watch it here (it’s time stamped for you 😉):
When he said, “You put too much time and energy into the finished project to just forget about it.” I felt that. I mean if this Grammy Award winning artist with millions of followers still has a street team approach to promoting his work, so should you.
1. Do what I call “drop and run.” Sometimes you have to post something, send an email, “shoot your shot” — and leave. Don’t wait for a response, come back and collect that data later. But just getting it out there is half the battle.
For instance, recently my girl Tiaunna and I planned a day to film content. We both have career aspirations that involve posting consistently and sharing our work and honestly we just love getting a look off. In preparation for the shoot I made these Mood Boards that were (1) Fun to make and (2) helped alleviate some of that “pressure to perform.” I knew my what and why and just needed to enjoy the process. And that we did.
2. Start early. Doing this would’ve saved me a lot of all nighters. Start writing or planning as soon as the idea pops in your mind. Write blurbs in your notes app, save links to concept references, record voice memos, take screenshots. Keeping a stream of consciousness on your work will help you during times when that initial motivation and inspiration wears off and you’re working on discipline. Referencing these things can help reignite that flame when it's time to get to work.
3. Learn your times of creativity. Try and work on your own terms to the best of your ability. I know my thoughts and ideas flow better when the world around me is quiet, usually from 11p-2a (even 3a or 4a when I’m in a groove) So, I plan accordingly. During the day I do admin work (emails, posting, etc) and at night is when the magic happens.