The Power of “Let’s Try”: How Small Actions Outweigh Perfect Motivation
We’ve all been there: staring at a blank page, an untouched workout plan, or a kitchen full of ingredients for a meal we promised to cook. In those moments, we wait for motivation to strike like a bolt of lightning, believing that without it, we’ll never start. But here’s a truth that’s both liberating and a little uncomfortable: You don’t need perfect motivation—just a tiny bit of “let’s try.”
The Myth of Perfect Motivation
Society loves to romanticize motivation. We’re told stories of artists who paint all night in a frenzy of inspiration, athletes who leap out of bed at 5 a.m. to train, and entrepreneurs who work 80-hour weeks fueled by passion. While these narratives are inspiring, they set an unrealistic standard. Most of us aren’t living in a perpetual state of excitement or clarity. Instead, we’re juggling responsibilities, battling fatigue, and facing self-doubt.
The problem with waiting for motivation is that it’s unreliable. Motivation is fleeting, situational, and often tied to emotion. If we rely on it to start anything meaningful, we’ll end up procrastinating indefinitely. Think of it like waiting for the “perfect” weather to go outside—you’ll never leave the house.
Why “Let’s Try” Works Better Than “I Must”
The phrase “let’s try” is disarmingly simple. It carries no pressure, no expectations of grandeur. It’s not about conquering a task in one go or proving anything to anyone. It’s a humble invitation to experiment.
Psychologically, this approach works because it reduces resistance. When we tell ourselves, “I have to finish this project today,” the brain perceives it as a threat—a mountain to climb. But framing it as “let’s try working on this for 10 minutes” feels manageable. It’s not a commitment to perfection; it’s a low-stakes experiment. And often, those 10 minutes turn into 30, then an hour, and suddenly, momentum builds.
Take exercise as an example. Many people abandon fitness goals because they think they need to commit to hour-long workouts. But what if you started with “let’s try five minutes of stretching”? Over time, those small actions create a habit, and habits eventually generate their own motivation.
The Science of Starting Small
Research in behavioral psychology supports the idea that incremental progress fuels motivation. A study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology found that habits form faster when actions are repeated consistently, even if they’re tiny. Another concept, called the “progress principle,” suggests that small wins boost confidence and create a positive feedback loop.
Your brain is wired to seek completion. When you start a task—no matter how small—it triggers a desire to finish it. This is why opening a document and writing one sentence often leads to writing a paragraph. The act of beginning shifts your mindset from avoidance to engagement.
Real-Life Applications of “Let’s Try”
1. Creative Projects: Stuck on a blank canvas? Say, “Let’s try sketching one line.” Artists often find that a single stroke breaks the inertia, leading to a full session of work.
2. Learning New Skills: Overwhelmed by a language app? Tell yourself, “Let’s try one 5-minute lesson.” Consistency, not perfection, builds fluency.
3. Daily Chores: Dreading laundry? Start with folding one sock. Often, that’s enough to kickstart the process.
4. Career Goals: Nervous about a big presentation? Begin with, “Let’s try outlining the first slide.” Breaking it into steps makes it less intimidating.
Overcoming the “But I Don’t Feel Like It” Trap
Even with the “let’s try” mindset, there will be days when resistance feels overwhelming. Here’s how to navigate those moments:
– Acknowledge the Resistance: Pretending you’re not struggling only amplifies frustration. Instead, say, “This feels hard, but I’ll try anyway.”
– Use the 2-Minute Rule: Commit to just two minutes of effort. Most tasks feel less daunting once you’re in motion.
– Focus on Curiosity, Not Results: Ask, “What happens if I try?” instead of “Will I succeed?” Curiosity removes pressure and makes the process feel like an adventure.
The Ripple Effect of Tiny Actions
Every significant achievement begins with a modest start. Author J.R.R. Tolkien didn’t sit down to write The Lord of the Rings in one day—he began with a single sentence. SpaceX didn’t launch a rocket to Mars on its first attempt; it started with smaller missions and incremental improvements.
When you adopt the “let’s try” philosophy, you’re not just completing tasks—you’re rewiring your relationship with productivity. You learn that motivation isn’t a prerequisite for action; it’s often a result of action. Each small effort builds resilience, confidence, and a sense of agency.
Final Thought: Permission to Be Imperfect
The pursuit of perfect motivation is a trap. It keeps us stuck in cycles of waiting and self-criticism. But when you embrace the power of “let’s try,” you give yourself permission to be human—to start messy, learn as you go, and celebrate progress over perfection.
So the next time you’re paralyzed by a task, ask yourself: What’s the smallest version of “let’s try” I can attempt right now? You might be surprised at how far that tiny step takes you. After all, the greatest journeys aren’t propelled by flawless plans—they’re built on the courage to begin.
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