Becoming a father changes your perspective on life. I have an 8-year-old son, and one of my biggest concerns is guiding him from boyhood into manhood. The truth is, boys don’t have a clear biological signal for this transition. For girls, puberty marks the shift, but for boys, it's different. We have to figure it out. And as a father, I constantly analyze the best way to prepare my son for that moment when he steps fully into manhood.
One of the biggest realizations I’ve had—something I wish someone had told me earlier—is that there comes a point where effort alone no longer counts. As boys, we get credit for trying. If you hustle hard in football but miss the tackle, the coach still gives you props for the effort. If you study all night and get a C-minus, your parents say, "At least you tried." But in manhood, that disappears.
There are no more points for trying. There is only doing or not doing.
Why “Trying” Doesn’t Cut It Anymore
At some point, a man’s value is based on what he produces. Whether it’s in business, relationships, or as a father, results matter. Think about it:
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You either close the deal or you don’t.
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You either make money or you don’t.
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You either provide for your family or you don’t.
No one is going to pat you on the back for the effort. And that’s not a bad thing—it’s actually freeing. Because once you accept that, you stop wasting time on things that don’t push you forward.
Take business, for example. Too many guys spend time organizing their equipment, tweaking their websites, or playing with their rigs instead of getting out there and closing jobs. They give themselves credit for effort, but effort without results is meaningless.
Stop rewarding yourself for trying. Start rewarding yourself for winning.
How This Mindset Will Transform Your Business
When you realize that results are all that matter, your entire approach to business changes.
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Instead of spending hours tweaking your website, you pick up the phone and call potential clients.
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Instead of cleaning your truck for the fifth time, you knock on doors and hand out flyers.
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Instead of overthinking your marketing strategy, you run the ad and adjust as you go.
The only thing that moves the needle is action. Results. Closing deals. Making money. Everything else is just noise.
Too many guys in the pressure-washing and softwashing industry waste months “getting ready” instead of actually getting clients. They tweak their rigs, polish their branding, and watch YouTube videos—but they don’t knock on doors, send emails, or make calls. Then they wonder why their business isn’t growing.
Stop giving yourself credit for effort. Give yourself credit for getting paid.
Master the Fundamentals: No Excuses
If you want to succeed, focus on the fundamentals:
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Sell, sell, sell. Your #1 job is to get customers. Nothing else matters if you aren’t closing deals.
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Take action every single day. Don’t waste time “preparing.” You’ll learn more by doing.
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Track your results. If something isn’t working, adjust and keep moving forward.
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Stay uncomfortable. Growth happens when you push yourself beyond your limits.
And if you want a proven way to start and scale your business fast, you need to learn from people who have already done it.
Take Your Softwash Business to the Next Level
If you're serious about starting or growing your softwash business, there’s no better way than learning directly from experts. That’s why I highly recommend the Serious Starter Softwash Boot Camp with Aaron Parker | March 21-22, 2025.
This event will teach you the exact steps to dominate your local market, close high-ticket jobs, and scale your business the right way. You’ll learn:
✅ The fundamentals of softwashing success ✅ How to get high-paying clients consistently ✅ Proven marketing strategies that work TODAY ✅ The tools and equipment you need (and what to avoid)
Stop giving yourself points for "trying" and start taking real action. Sign up for the Serious Starter Softwash Boot Camp today.
Final Thoughts: No More Points for Trying
If you want success, in life and in business, you need to stop rewarding yourself for effort alone. Results are all that matter.
Start tracking your wins. Measure your success based on closed deals and money in the bank—not time wasted “getting ready.” The moment you stop giving yourself points for trying is the moment you truly step into manhood.
Now get out there and make it happen.
