Long Term Consequences

For every behavior, there is a consequence. We can almost always choose our behavior; but, can not always choose our consequences. Sometimes we must choose which is more important to us. Is it more important for us to choose our behaviors or more important to choose our consequences? We simply can not freely choose both. Sometimes we can delay some consequences but that is the best we can hope for.

We have a better chance of choosing our consequences if we choose the consequence first and then align our behaviors appropriately. For many if not most of the outcomes we would choose, there are time honored behaviors that will help us reach those goals and achieve those outcomes. If we start looking down the road and ask our self what outcomes we want, we can then align our behaviors. Once you have chosen your outcomes, research the behaviors which are most likely to help you achieve your goals and outcomes. Look at those “time honored behaviors” first, if there is something newer (within the last 60 years) and more faddish, review the research and find out what is really most likely to work. If it is really important to you, look at the research critically as not all research is of the same value.

When considering your desired outcomes, look way down the road. I love anthropology and sometimes read anthropology text books just for fun (I realize that would not be fun for most). Years ago I read a book on time, how cultures deal with and view time. The text would be about 50 years old and much has changed in the past 50 years but at the time it was written it was pretty accurate. At that time, for some cultures, setting long term goals and looking at long term consequences had them looking down the road 100 plus years. For other cultures long term planning would mean perhaps 5 years from now and for others tomorrow or even this afternoon. We all know people who have a hard time considering the long term consequences. There is an old adage I like that says: ‘when you’re up to your neck in alligators it’s hard to remember your initial intention was to drain the swamp.” I like this adage because while the alligator may be the more urgent problem, it may not be the gravest problem and draining the swamp will take care of all the problems. For example, if you have a swamp on your property filled with alligators and malaria and/or cholera, the alligators may be the most obvious and urgent issue, but probably not the most deadly.

Take a step back and consider what you want for you and/or your family 100 years down the road, 50 years, 10 years, and shorter term. Write down those outcomes and align goals and behavior (writing them down with specificity as has already been mentioned) in ways that are most likely to bring about those outcomes. If you can’t figure out which behaviors will create the results you want, consult research and experts. Get the help you need and do what you need to do.
Remember the old saying, “if you do what you have always done you are likely to get what you have always gotten.” And, “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”