Clegg explains why "trying" is a cop-out and separates two kinds of obstacles: external contributing factors like racism and inflation, versus internal determining factors like courage and honesty. The difference matters because only one is actually in your control.
Chapters
Allow me to share with you some beliefs that I had when I was trying to be where I am right now. The first belief that I had that was hindering me is I thought trying meant something. And guess what? It doesn't mean anything. I'll try. Here's what that means. I'm not going to do it. I'll try to make it. They ain't coming. That's the first thing. Another belief that I held was that contributing circumstances were determining circumstances. What does that mean? Well, there are two types of circumstances in the world. There are contributing circumstances, there are determining circumstances. The people who want to manipulate you and use you and use your pain against you. They want you to believe that contributing factors are determining factors. And they want you to fight against all of the contributing factors in the world while ignoring the determining factors. How can I tell the difference between a determining factor and a contributing factor? All contributing factors are outside of you. Racism, inflation, corrupt government. All of the determining factors are inside of you. Courage, honesty, integrity, etc. Don't make the mistake of thinking that contributing factors are determining factors.
