The More We Try, The Harder It Gets

Of course, without context, the statement on the title can be a blatant lie.

In many situations in life, the word "trying" represents doing something that already seems hard to do, because we do not want to do it, often implying a reluctance or struggle.

This type of struggle could be a good or bad sign, the former is when we're pushing our limits and experiencing growing pains, the latter is when we're simply stuck in an unproductive pattern.

Productive Trying vs. Counterproductive Trying

Generally, trying could be grouped into two categories, productive and counterproductive trying. The title on the post mostly refers to counterproductive trying.

Now, productive trying can be defined as an effort that leads to progress, growth, or achievement of a desired goal.

Image Source

For example, practicing a musical instrument consistently leads to improvement. At the start, this practice is hard, there's a struggle to coordinate your fingers and produce a clear sound(e.g a flute or guitar).

But with consistent practice, this struggle becomes easier, and the music becomes more enjoyable to play.

Similarly, studying for an exam with focused effort increases the chances of good grades. But studying is never easy, it is always hard, which is part of the learning process.

The main characteristic of productive trying is that even amidst challenges, there's a preoccupation with adjusting and adopting one's approach based on what's working and what's not.

Counterproductive trying on the other hand, can be defined as as effort that hinders progress, creates frustration, or leads you further away from your goal.

For instance, persisting with an ineffective approach out of sheer willpower. (e.g., studying for hours without understanding the material).

I personally find myself guilty of such a situation numerous times despite having become aware of it. You know that it's bad but you keep doing it anyway.

The Slippery Slope

In a way, the line between productive and counterproductive trying can be surprisingly thin. Often, it starts with a genuine effort to learn or improve.

But progress can be slow, and frustration gradually creeps in. Which makes us double down on the existing approach, convinced that sheer effort will eventually break through the barrier.

It is during such moments where the shift actually occurs. We become fixated on the specific way we're doing things, neglecting alternative strategies that might be more effective. The initial "growing pains" of productive trying changes into the soul-crushing struggle of counterproductive trying.

Image Source

It's very similar to trying to force a door open when the key is readily available nearby. The more we try to force the door open, the tighter it seems to shut, yet we persist, believing that eventually, brute force will prevail.

If we narrow down to a single-minded focus, we blind ourself to the possibility that the key might be lying forgotten in our pocket, or perhaps the door needs a gentle nudge rather than a forceful shove.

Breaking Free from the Cycle

This shift can be subtle yet very impactful. And it's crucial to always pay attention to internal cues like rising frustration, a sense of stagnation, or neglecting other aspects of life due to overexertion.

Recognizing these signs early on allows us to step back, reassess our approach, and potentially seek alternative strategies before "trying" transforms into a vicious cycle of frustration and diminishing returns.


Thanks for reading!! Share your thoughts below on the comments.

Posted Using InLeo Alpha