Stop Trying and Start Doing

In this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, publisher Melissa Mackenzie welcomes guest Carla Ondrasik, author of Stop Trying, for a fascinating conversation about the language of effort and the psychology of action. Carla challenges one of our most common phrases, “I’m trying”, and explains why it may be holding us back more than helping us. As Carla puts it, trying is purely mental, an intention without motion, while doing is physical, measurable, and real. She also dives into the Zeigarnik Effect, the psychological tendency to fixate on unfinished tasks. A cluttered to-do list, she explains, is a series of open loops that exhaust the brain until resolved. By completing one dreaded task early, we reclaim mental clarity and momentum for the rest of the day. Whether in the workplace or personal life, Carla’s message is simple but transformative: stop trying, just do.

On this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, host Melissa Mackenzie is joined by Carla Ondrasik to unpack the psychology behind “trying.” From breaking mental barriers to mastering daily productivity, Carla explains how shifting from trying to doing rewires the brain for success. A must-listen for anyone stuck in the cycle of overthinking instead of acting. Tune in to hear their discussion!