Tactics/Outcomes

We deploy tactics in order to obtain certain outcomes, but there often seems to be a discrepancy between the tactics we use and the outcomes they produce.

For example, I just finished reading a book called Joyspan. Some of the tactics it recommends for producing more joy include giving, finding a sense of purpose, and being part of a community. These are things we can intentionally do to create more joy in our lives.

But then I watched a documentary called Death of a Pastor’s Wife. There was community. There was purpose. There was faith. And then there was murder and adultery.

Those are certainly not the desired outcomes.

Or you see someone pretending to be a wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers. He builds a social media following and uses it to make a million dollars — but the whole thing is based on fraud.

Technically, his tactics worked. He created a convincing identity, attracted followers, and made money. But none of that makes what he did good or right.

So there seems to be a discrepancy. We deploy tactics believing they will lead us toward certain outcomes, but sometimes they produce outcomes we never wanted. Other times, people use effective tactics to accomplish dishonest or destructive things.

Maybe it is not always about the tactics themselves. Maybe motives, character, circumstances, accountability, and the way we use those tactics matter just as much.

Books often give us formulas. Do these things, and you will experience joy. Follow these steps, and you will become successful. But human beings are complicated, and life rarely follows a clean formula.

There is nuance in all of this, and honestly, I find that confusing.

What formula are you following that you’ve never checked the results of?

Here, I made this. My gift to you, for taking the time to read.

Images are from my imagination, generated by AI. Writing is all me.