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in character building

When trying isn’t good enough

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

It’s time for Five Minute Friday over on Katemotaung’s blog!  Set the timer, write for five minutes, and post!  Today’s word prompt: 
                                              Try.

Go.

I signed up to sell Mary Kay Cosmetics when I turned 29 years old.  I’d never done anything like it before.

I quickly learned I had to talk to people, put myself out there –

and

{gasp}

…make phonecalls.

I hated the phone.  I’m not a talker.  I don’t like putting myself out there.

My Mary Kay director came to town.  She visited my home.

She was a smoker.  My kids were 5 and 3 at the time.  They had never been around a smoker in their young lives.

She stepped outside for a minute.  “Mom!  What is she doing???“

“Shhh!  Just be quiet.” 

Stepping back inside, she drew me to the couch for a little coaching time.

“See that pencil on that notebook?  Try to pick it up.”

I half heartedly flopped my hand toward it, not picking it up.

“See what I mean?  There’s a difference between trying and

…doing.”

She got through to me.  I soared toward the top of the sales ladder.  I stepped out of my comfort zone.

I was top sales person 4 weeks in a row and got to wear the “princess sash”.

And you know what else?  I implemented this into my life from that day forward.

And I succeeded at all I did when trying wasn’t good enough.

Because trying wasn’t doing.

I’m against smoking.  It’s bad for your health, it turns your teeth brown, it’ll kill ya.

But that Mary Kay lady knew a thing or two about life, even if she didn’t make wise choices about her health.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might.”  Ecclesiastes 9:10

STOP.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anita Ojeda says

    July 31, 2015 at 7:10 am

    Oh, boy! What a wonderful lesson! There's a difference between trying and doing. Maybe I need to quit 'trying' to write a book, and just write one ;).

    Reply
  2. Mary Geisen says

    July 31, 2015 at 7:10 am

    Love this and good for you for trying and learning such an important lesson. Loved reading that you are a coffee lover because so am I!!! Your FMF neighbor!

    Reply
  3. Karen Brown says

    July 31, 2015 at 7:10 am

    I always admire go-getters like your Mary Kay lady. I enjoyed your story- you had my attention from the very beginning. Thanks for sharing it here, and Happy Friday! :)

    Reply
  4. Tara Ulrich says

    July 31, 2015 at 7:11 am

    I tried to sell Pampered Chef for a while but it was just too time consuming. Good for you for keeping trying.

    Reply
  5. Denise says

    July 31, 2015 at 7:11 am

    enjoyed this post.

    Reply
  6. Ruthie Gray says

    July 31, 2015 at 8:53 am

    Anita, I just attended a free webinar by Shelley Hitz on book writing and it was fabulous!!! I now have a clear goal in mind. Check her out!

    Reply
  7. Ruthie Gray says

    July 31, 2015 at 8:54 am

    I remembered that about you Mary! (The coffee.) Thanks for your sweet words, neighbor!

    Reply
  8. Ruthie Gray says

    July 31, 2015 at 8:55 am

    Hi Karen! Nice to hear from you. I admire challenging people like that as well, I need them in my life to light my fire! ;) Have a great weekend!

    Reply
  9. Ruthie Gray says

    July 31, 2015 at 8:56 am

    Yeah, I hate selling stuff, Mary Kay was the only thing I really got into and enjoyed. That was years ago though, I left it behind for teaching music! ;)

    Reply
  10. Ruthie Gray says

    July 31, 2015 at 8:57 am

    Thanks for stopping by again, Denise! :)

    Reply
  11. Susan Shipe says

    July 31, 2015 at 12:24 pm

    Gigi, you are so right-on with this post. Sometimes trying isn't good enough. I love the slant you took. We are a lot alike my friend. Are we sisters from other mother's??? xoxoxo Mimi, parked at #46

    Reply
  12. Ruthie Gray says

    July 31, 2015 at 12:35 pm

    Thanks, Mimi! You make me laugh. ;) Yes, that pencil illustration has always stuck with me. Headed over to check you out, girlfriend!

    Reply
  13. Tiffany Parry says

    July 31, 2015 at 3:09 pm

    Love this, Ruthie – trying is doing. Sometimes we forget that don't we. I love that you were reading me, while I was reading you…lol. Your comment just popped up on the screen. :) Thanks for encouragement me to keep moving – to do, today. :)

    Reply
  14. Ruthie Gray says

    July 31, 2015 at 8:27 pm

    Ahh how sweet this little community of ours is, isn't it Tiffany? And yes – I thought to myself, "I've got to go visit Tiffany today!"
    Bless your heart, you've been on my mind a lot today. God is good and gracious, He will sustain you through the transition.

    Reply
  15. Tondra Denise says

    August 1, 2015 at 10:24 am

    "Trying" isn't the same as "doing"… LOVE that!

    Reply
  16. Ruthie Gray says

    August 1, 2015 at 12:31 pm

    It certainly isn't! Thanks for stopping by, Tondra! :)

    Reply

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