Do, or do not. There is no try.
24 May 2012

When it comes to professional installation of any kind you have to be pretty clear about what's realistic and what's idealistic. The word "try" is horrible curse within all languages, as it implies a level of insecurity or lack of determination that when you're installing a rather expensive sail on someone's terrace... well, it just better not be an "attempt" but instead quiet simply an action. 

I think Yoda put it best: "Do, or Do Not. There is no try." Which, while I admit its odd to equate the installation of sunsail products with the philosophy of Jedi mind powers, is a lesson that anyone who works in the service industry should learn. The subtext of this little Yoda-ism is actually a dialogue about knowing one's self, knowing one's own capabilities. If you're dealing with customers on a daily basis you need to know what you actually can do, and what you can't.

Often we see businesses "trying" things. Perhaps a client makes a request that's bigger or in a different field than they've ever worked. The temptation is to say yes for several reasons, firstly: a bigger contract. And secondly: no one ever really wants to say "no" to a client. So the trick is be smart, be collaborative and know yourself. Know what you're capable of, be aware of what other demands might come up and seek out the businesses or people who can do those things. Find ways to work and collaborate with businesses that can fill the demands you're not currently capable of. Sure you can "try" it on your own, and perhaps it will work sometimes, but in a high-end industry like ours, its not worth getting it wrong on behalf of a little greed. On the flip sidehowever, we all get put in positions where we need to "try" something as there is no alternative choice, and its at this stage that we must simply decide to "do". Once you've been pushed so far that there is no alternative, the mind set of "try" is a destructive one, where the affirmative decision to simply "do" allows us to make the neccessary decisions and take action.

This message has been brought to you by LucasArts Entertainment... as long as they buy a few sunsails for it.