In this episode of MindTricks Radio, I sit down with author and motivational speaker Carla Ondrasik to talk about a deceptively simple word that may be quietly sabotaging our goals: try. In her book Stop Trying: The Life-Transforming Power of Trying Less and Doing More, Carla argues that the language we use with ourselves matters more than we realize. When we say we’ll “try,” we often leave the door open for hesitation, procrastination, and excuses. But when we decide to do, something shifts—not only in our mindset, but even in the way our brains engage with the task at hand.

Carla shares stories from her unusual career path—from working in national security and aviation to becoming Vice President of Creative Writer Development at EMI Music Publishing, where she helped place songs with artists like Barbra Streisand, NSYNC, and Christina Aguilera. Along the way, she discovered a powerful mindset that guided her success: stop hedging your bets with “trying” and commit fully to action. Our conversation explores how fear of failure, procrastination, and even fear of success can keep people stuck in neutral—and how a simple shift in language can help move us into drive.

We also talk about practical tools for getting unstuck, including the “eat the frog” strategy for beating procrastination, the difference between excuses and real reasons, and how committing to action can build confidence, leadership, and a life with fewer regrets. Carla brings humor, energy, and plenty of real-world examples to the conversation, making this episode both motivating and surprisingly fun.