Just Try It
Don't be afraid to say it isn't working or I don't like it
“Just try it” is an expression I’ve heard many times throughout my life. It often feels like it’s presented as a passive-aggressive challenge. I try and stay open-minded and explore new things; however, as I get older, the opportunities are narrowing, and the room for error can become more limited and consequential.
Here are a few that never made my cut:
Foods I Tried:
Crunchy peanut butter and Miracle Whip sandwiches
Asparagus
Brownies with nuts
Slivered almonds
Pork (any pork including bacon)
Pecan pie
Activities I Attempted:
Rollerblading
Water skiing
Racquetball
Spinning classes
Softball
Doing headstands (or a handstand) with arm displacement, listening to a certified yoga instructor teaching yoga certification.
Living Situations:
Moving to a small rural town far from urban amenities
Living in a metropolitan city with a high cost of living and a low-paying job
Staying in a communal living arrangement with little or no privacy
Career and Job Changes:
Dog treat business
Personal Trainer
Holistic Health Coach
Yoga Instructor
Golf Professional
What about the bigger stuff, and when time matters?
Recently, I took a new job as an interpretive guide at a local historical site. I agreed to a part-time position, working 3-4 days a week, five hours per shift. However, from the first week, the position morphed into five days a week with seven to eight-hour shifts.
It’s too much. The job is too much.
But they hired me with no experience and paid me for a month’s (and ongoing) training. I took the job as an experiment and to find inspiration from my local area.
I like the job.
“Just try it” is often used to nudge me into stepping out of my comfort zone. Whether it's trying a new food, embarking on a different career path, or engaging in an unfamiliar activity, the phrase itself carries a sense of encouragement and challenge. The message is inspiring: growth and discovery often lie beyond the boundaries of the familiar.
Yet, the simplicity of “just try it” overlooks the complexity of past experiences and emotions. While it’s true that pushing oneself can lead to personal growth, it’s equally important to acknowledge individual limits and comfort levels. For me, the phrase can bring excitement and a sense of adventure; other times it can trigger anxiety and resistance.
The job is triggering anxiety and leading to resistance. The work is intense and is pushing me severely out of my comfort zone too quickly. I’m a writer, not an orator. I was not supposed to lead a tour until June, but I’ve already led three this week.
And it isn’t getting any easier.
How far is too far out of your comfort zone?
Obvious signs indicating that I’m too far out of my comfort zone:
Overcommitting my time both at work and at home. (Being unable to get my workouts in, enjoy time with my husband when he’s home, and having no leisure time left in the week.)
Drastically changing my lifestyle. (Going from being a night owl to an early morning person; my eating habits are not only off but I’m eating poorly due to having no time to prepare food at home.)
Public speaking on a grander scale than I’m comfortable with. (Going from no experience in public speaking to talking to groups of 6-15 people for an hour or more.)
Pursuit of perfection. (Trying to give 100% to work and home.)
Balancing Challenge with Caution
It's essential to challenge yourself but doing so mindfully is equally important. Here are some tips to ensure you don't push too far:
Set incremental goals: I am negotiating doing smaller groups and assisting and leading special events to avoid giving tours until I’m ready.
Listen to mind and body: I negotiated an alternating schedule of four days on and three days off one week, then three days on and four days off the next week.
Reflect regularly: I’m taking time to evaluate my experience to understand what works and what doesn’t, and adjust moving forward.
Non-negotiable self-care: Ensure my workouts are a priority and as I’m transitioning nights to mornings going to bed earlier.
"Just try it" gives the idea to persuade, attempt, or experience something new, without overthinking or worrying too much about the outcome. It emphasizes taking action and being open to new experiences, which can lead to growth, discovery, and potentially positive results.
While the encouragement to “just try it” can be valuable, it must be balanced with respect for personal boundaries. The decision to step into the unknown should be a personal choice, made with consideration of one’s readiness and willingness to embrace the potential outcomes, both positive and negative.
See you next week!
Loved reading through your thinking. I think a part time job at this stage in our lives is perfect. If I might comment: sounds to me like to biggest problem is the extra hours they want from you. The rest may be a bit out of your comfort zone but is manageable. Good luck. I’m happy you like the job as such!
It's overwhelming at first when we take on a new job because we are learning-learning-learning and our brains just go into freakout mode!
As soon as the newness wears off in a few weeks I imagine it won't feel as bad and tiring -- we adapt to things and once the spookiness of the "OMG what do I do??" settles down, it might even feel routine...
That said, they baited and switched on you in interview, you're doing fine to stand your ground! It ain't cricket to change the terms and conditions and there is nothing wrong with you saying to them, "I agreed to your terms to work X hours per week, not 40, I will work the hours we agreed on".
As for public speaking, if you are friendly and helpful, no one will mind about the rest! People only take away bad impressions if someone is rude.