Ironically enough, most failure occurs before you try.  This is not to say that everything you try at you will achieve.  In fact, there are a few things you will never be able to achieve no matter how you try.  You won’t be able to breath under water; won’t be able to walk on the sun; and will never be able to fly (and even these things might be a yet when you factor in human evolution and technological developments.

What I am referring to are the simpler things.  Those obtainable goals that we have in life.  The goals that we make unattainable simply because we fail to take the first step forward.

I won’t try to get a raise:  You haven’t asked, or you haven’t put your best foot forward to deserve one

I won’t try to better my relationships with others:  You haven’t come up with a plan to make others feel appreciated, or neglect your personal relationships to focus on other things.

I won’t try to better my health: You haven’t taken the affirmative steps, and failed to progress through the psychological stages to get you, and keep you, on track.

Trying means giving yourself an honest shot at accomplishing what you set out to do.  It doesn’t mean saying, it involves honestly doing what you have to do to succeed.  Success, however, is not measured by accomplishing what you set out to do on the first day (which could be possible depending on what you are trying to accomplish).  Success is achieved easier by taking small incremental steps towards a larger goal.  You chop down the oak tree by simply chipping away at the large trunk with a much smaller ax.

Keep you eye on the prize, and give yourself an honest shot at accomplishing your goals.  You will be surprised at what you can accomplish.