“Do or do not. There is no try.”
With much respect to Yoda, my word of the year for 2026 is try.
In case it’s not clear, I’m a doer. I love doing. It’s a key part of my identity. However, I tend to avoid doing things unless I know I can do them fully. This doesn’t mean I always know exactly how to do everything. But I’m confident I can figure it out, and I tend not to take on tasks unless I can give them my full commitment. (In this way, I’m following Yoda’s teaching.)
But that means I have a long list of things that I’d like to do, but I haven’t gotten to because I don’t have the knowledge, the time, the energy, the force… the whatever.
This year, I’d like to give myself a little more wiggle room to try some things. Even if I do them imperfectly or incompletely, there is benefit in taking small steps.
This will mean continuing to try to be better at sleep and rest. I also have ideas of things I’d like to try for fitness, work, community service and stewardship for this land. Some of these ideas have been bouncing around in my mind for years.
I read The 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom over the holidays. One of the concepts Bloom talks about is mental wealth, which he defines as growing, changing, adapting and achieving your potential. I have never been very focused on personal growth. I like what I have achieved and am very satisfied with my life. However, in some areas, I’m perhaps too comfortable. I’m ready this year to make some changes and try some new things.
A quote from the book that connected with me is, “Regret from inaction is always more painful than regret from action.” I won’t say I have many regrets, but I do have a list of things I wish I could make some progress on. Taking action–any action–feels like a first step.
An article dissecting Yoda’s oft-quoted admonishment said it “is about the mindset; it’s not about the outcome.” I’m often focused on the outcome, accomplishing my goals, checking another project off my list. But even if I don’t fully complete something, this year I’m trying to remember there’s value in trying.
Home on 129 Acres 