Last updated on June 1st, 2026 at 07:21 pm
From 'I'll try' to 'I will'
How many times have we stood at the top of our mats, preparing for a challenging pose like Bakasana (Crow Pose), and whispered to ourselves, “Okay, I’ll try“?
This simple phrase feels safe, doesn’t it? It gives us an out. If our feet never leave the floor, we can say, “Well, at least I tried,” and move on.
But I want to invite you to look a little deeper at the energy behind those words. In yoga, we talk a lot about intention. We even have a special word for it: Sankalpa. A Sankalpa isn’t just a goal; it’s a heartfelt resolve, an affirmation you plant like a seed in the fertile ground of your consciousness.
The power of true intention on your mat and in your life
“I’ll try” is like placing that seed on a rock. It carries the energy of doubt. The inner fire, the tapas that builds with our practice and fuels our transformation, flickers and dims when we meet it with lukewarm commitment. We’re essentially telling ourselves, “I’m not sure I have what it takes.”
This isn’t just about nailing a yoga pose. This applies to any change we want to invite into our lives – whether it’s committing to a daily meditation practice, responding with more patience to our family, or healing an old wound.
The next level, the space where real transformation happens, is the shift to “I will“.
“I will” is your Sankalpa in action. It is a 100% gathering of your energy, your focus, your prana. The gap between “trying” and “doing” may seem small, but it contains a universe of potential.
When you commit with “I will” and things don’t work out immediately – maybe you still tumble out of Crow Pose – the inner dialogue changes. Instead of “Game over,” it becomes, “Okay, what did I learn? What needs to shift? How can I approach this differently?”
This is the heart of abhyasa – consistent, dedicated practice. It’s a continuous, curious and compassionate enquiry.
So, if “I will” is so powerful, why do we hesitate?
The Obstacle of the Doubting Mind...
Often, what we call ‘self-doubt’ is simply the voice of our ego (ahamkara). The ego is terrified of failure. It connects our worth to our achievements. When you say “I’ll try to meditate every day,” the ego is subtly saying, “I’m not sure I can, and I’d rather not feel bad if I miss a day.
“I will sit in meditation for 5 minutes each morning” is a different declaration.
It may feel bold, even a little scary. But this clarity of intention is what allows us to access a deeper well of strength. We learn to see failure not as a reflection of our self-worth, but simply as part of the path. We get back up, dust ourselves off with self-compassion and renew our commitment, just as we would re-enter a pose.
I would rather fall after giving my whole heart to the effort than live with the gentle regret of, "What if I had truly committed?"
The Obstacle of Inertia (Tamas)
Our minds, by nature, seek comfort and want to conserve energy. This quality of inertia, known in yoga as tamas, loves the phrase “I’ll try.” It requires very little energy upfront. It feels easy.
But in the long run, this path is far more draining. If you tell yourself, “I’ll try to be less reactive,” you will face a dozen small battles with yourself every single day. You’ll constantly be negotiating, making exceptions and using up precious mental energy in self-control and subsequent guilt.
Compare that to making one, clear, non-negotiable decision; “I will pause and take a breath before I respond.” This is your Sankalpa. Setting this firm, compassionate rule for yourself gives you absolute clarity. It simplifies your inner world. When the intention is unmovable, the temptations and inner conflicts begin to quiet down. You are no longer wasting energy in the push-and-pull of indecision. That energy is freed up for what truly matters.
A note on Gentleness
All this being said, we must approach our resolutions with ahimsa (non-harming) toward ourselves. Sometimes, “I’ll try” is a necessary first step, a gentle way to build momentum when we feel stuck. Moving from deep tamas into action is a process, and it’s okay to start with baby steps.
The purpose of this reflection is to illuminate the incredible power that is already within you—the power of your own focused will. For the big, meaningful shifts you seek in your life, a true Sankalpa is the most direct and potent path.
Now, your turn!
Think of a change you wish to cultivate in your life. Perhaps it’s something you’ve approached with “I’ll try” many times before.
What would it feel like to gather your energy, your breath, your heart and declare, “I will”?
When we think “I’ll try,” we go as far as we can see.
When we decide “I will,” we commit to walking the path even when we can’t see the destination. We go the extra mile that reveals itself only when we are already on the journey.
This is where we touch our deepest potential. This is where our practice truly comes alive.
May this spark your inner fire.
