I’m 48 years old. I’ve been practicing law for 23 of those years.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that “I’ll try” means “probably not.”

When I say it myself I’m already figuring out a way to bail. When my employees say it, I know it’s never going to happen.

There’s “yes” and there’s “no.” There really isn’t anywhere in between.

When someone says “yes” I know they might not succeed, but I know they’ll do their best. When they say “I’ll try” I’m pretty darn certain that it’s never going to happen. More often than not, an “I’ll try” doesn’t even make it on to the to-do list. It’s dead on arrival.

Start listening for the “I’ll trys” and either get yourself a yes or find someone else to do it. If you find yourself saying it, then accept that you’re not going to do it. You might as well back out now, gracefully, while you still can.