Jack Averty: It’s time to try harder – what’s the worst that can happen?

It’s a tired old phrase that’s used more times a day than the country has problems.

But just because it’s overused and dated, doesn’t mean it’s not relevant.

In life we are faced with ridiculous challenges that we think in our heart of hearts we will never be able to conquer.

For example, that shed bought from Homebase a year ago will never get built; that pavlova will never be mastered, or – one of the worst offenders – we’ll never manage to get out of bed on time because it’s just too early.

But, like the millions of students who manage to print off their dissertations one minute before the deadline, miracles do happen.

Last Sunday we had the much-anticipated Vélo Birmingham event, with 15,000 riders taking on the gruelling 100-mile course through Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Sandwell and Dudley, before finishing back in Birmingham.

Naturally the event attracted some cycling heavyweights; seasoned professionals who will whizz round the course in no time at all, hardly breaking a sweat in the process.

But what about those who aren’t big cyclists? What about the non-athletic types who decided to give the event a go?

Thousands of amateurs have put hours of training in a week just to try and conquer this race. A lot of them may have thought there was no way they would complete it, but the only way they were going to find out was by trying.

Many amazed themselves by finishing the race, that feeling of euphoria never possible if they hadn’t tried. Others were left gutted when they fell short of the finish line. But what did they lose by taking part? If anything they’ve gained the respect of thousands.

Yesterday was one of the most remarkable events in the calendar – the Macmillan coffee mornings.

Up and down the country millions came together to share a cup of tea and a biscuit with one thing in mind – to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

These coffee mornings, some of which took place across the Black Country and Staffordshire, are organised by people who are trying to make a difference.

Cancer is an evil disease and has affected most of us in one way or another.

It claims thousands of lives a year, with a cure yet to be found.

But for all those Macmillan coffee morning organisers, just because a cure hasn’t been found doesn’t mean we can’t try and raise the funds needed to find one.

And not just fund research but also help improve the lives of those who are suffering from the disease – either directly or through caring for a family member or friend.

One of those suffering from the wretched disease is BBC Midlands Today presenter Satnam Rana.

The Wolverhampton-born journalist is battling breast cancer. Not only that, she’s documenting her journey from diagnosis to – what everyone hopes – the all clear.

Only some people can begin to imagine what Satnam is going through, but even through all the tears and pain she’s still trying to beat the disease. She’s also trying to help others.

If the 40-year-old can keep on battling despite the hell she’s going through, then really the rest of us don’t have any excuse.

To bring it back to the beginning – God may well love a trier, but trying has nothing to do with impressing God and everything to do with impressing yourself.

Without offending those with strong religious views, what good is God if you’re not trying for yourself?

Some people won’t bother because they feel down in the dumps and that life is against them, others won’t give things a go because they’re as happy as Larry with the way things are.

But what is there to lose by trying all the same?

If life is terrible then attempt to make it better. If it doesn’t work, guess what? Nothing would have been lost.

Life great? Well try and make it even greater. Didn’t work? Well, at least it’s still hunkydory.

There are no negatives in trying, yet people seem so reluctant to do it.

Even the smallest things may make a difference to life. Take food as an example. Always been a sucker for steak? Order it every time you go for a meal out? Well that’s great, but what if that reliable steak could be bettered by a coq au vin?

Yes it may have a silly name and sound questionable, but why not give it a go? Worst possible outcome – you hate it and grab a bag of chips on the way home. Best outcome – your food horizons have been broadened and you can sound posh ordering it at restaurants.

But never try it, and you’ll never know.

Think of all those things you have fancied doing over the years or all those changes that may have made a difference. Now think about all the lame excuses you came up with to stop yourself from giving them a go. Finally think about all those on their bikes last Sunday, all those raising money for charity yesterday and, most importantly, brave Satnam.

Combine all the thoughts and you should come to one fairly simply outcome – it’s time to try harder.

In the immortal words of Dr Pepper: What’s the worst that can happen?