If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again

“If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again.” – Try Again – Aaliyah

R&B artist Aaliyah left us too soon, passing away in 2001.  While she had several hits, this one has stood the test of time as one of her best works and delivers an empowering message.  

Part of the beauty of this song and this lyric is that it can be applied to ANY facet of your life.  In the lyrics, Aaliyah relates the message to a new relationship.  However, it doesn’t have to be just a relationship based.  This message can apply to your diet, exercise, a project you’re working on (like me writing these articles ;).  

Most people in fact DON’T succeed on their first try at anything.  It takes grit and determination to keep going after you fail at something.  Were you phenomenal the first time you tried riding a bike?  How did you do your first time going on a blind date?  What about your first time being in charge of a child?  All of these firsts you more than likely have had in life, you probably weren’t that great at ALL of them (much less one).  Did you stop?  Did you quit?  Answer:  NO.    You have to truly dust yourself off and – as Aaliyah says – TRY.  AGAIN.  

The point is – KEEP GOING.  It doesn’t say how many times you’ve failed at something.  The lyrics don’t tell you when to quit.  They simply harmonize the message of perseverance through adversity.