Tries Are Worthless
The other night when watching episodes of, House, the protagonist Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) made a provocative comment that really made me think and still has me thinking. He said, “Tries are worthless.” To give some context, after losing a patient in a particular tough case, one of the other doctors said that at least they tried. That’s when House said, “Tries are worthless.” At first I could not get my head wrapped around the comment. I believe the show’s writers were having House suggest that simply making an attempt without purpose, effort, or proper strategy doesn’t lead to meaningful results. Alternatively, it could have been emphasizing that trying alone isn’t enough. Success requires genuine effort, learning, persistence, or the right approach. In other words, just trying is not enough.
In the show, House always solves complex medical cases using unconventional methods, experimentation, and sometimes failing multiple times before finding the right diagnosis. This really does go beyond just trying. Effort alone isn’t always enough; the way we try matters. Genuine effort, learning, and perseverance often lead to better outcomes. Trying without focus or direction may not be productive. It’s important to try intentionally and with purpose.
Sometimes, trying without reflection or adaptation can feel futile. Success often involves trying different strategies and learning from failures. The phrase challenged me to consider to always consider what I’m truly trying for, and encourages me to focus on meaningful goals rather than just effort for effort’s sake.
Byron's Babbles 
leave a comment