Focus, flexibility, fruition

Opinion

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This article was published 27/04/2024 (533 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Pragmatism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes practical consequences and real-world results over rigid adherence to abstract principles. While principles are important, pragmatists argue they should not be blindly followed if doing so leads to suboptimal outcomes.

The key is to find a balance between upholding core values and adapting to the realities of a situation.

Pragmatists believe the truth or meaning of an idea or proposition lies in its practical effects in the real world, rather than in abstract notions of absolute truth or perfect ideals. Knowing when to give up the ideal to get closer to where you need to be is a valuable skill that can lead to greater success and satisfaction.

This article will explore the principles of pragmatism and how to apply them in various situations.

Understanding pragmatism

Pragmatism is a philosophical approach that originated in the late 19th century with philosophers such as Charles Sanders Peirce, William James and John Dewey. It emphasizes the practical consequences of beliefs and ideas, suggesting the true value of a belief lies in its utility and ability to guide action effectively.

Pragmatism encourages flexibility and adaptability, allowing individuals to focus on achieving their goals rather than being bound by rigid ideals. This approach can be particularly useful in complex and changing environments where a strict adherence to a particular ideology or plan may not yield the desired results.

Importance of flexibility

Flexibility is a key aspect of pragmatism. It involves being open to change and willing to adjust your plans when necessary. This doesn’t mean abandoning your principles or long-term goals; rather, it means being willing to modify your approach to better suit the circumstances.

For example, a business may have an ideal vision for its future growth, but economic realities or changes in market trends may require it to pivot its strategy. By being flexible and adjusting its approach, the business can stay relevant and continue to thrive.

Knowing when to give up the ideal

Giving up an ideal doesn’t mean completely abandoning your goals or values. Instead, it means being willing to adapt your approach to better align with reality. Here are some situations where giving up the ideal may be necessary:

1. Unrealistic expectations: sometimes, the ideal you envision may be based on unrealistic assumptions. Recognize when your goals are unattainable and adjust them to be more achievable;

2. Changing circumstances: life is unpredictable and circumstances can change rapidly. Be willing to modify your plans when faced with new challenges or opportunities;

3. Conflicting priorities: sometimes, achieving an ideal may conflict with other important priorities in your life. Assess the trade-offs and choose a path that aligns with your overall goals and values;

4. Feedback and results: if your current approach isn’t yielding the desired results, it’s important to listen to feedback and be willing to change your tactics.

Applying pragmatism in practice

Analyze your environment: pragmatically assessing the environment is a key step in making informed decisions and setting realistic goals. This process involves taking a close look at both internal and external factors that may influence your situation. Internally, evaluate strengths, weaknesses, resources and capabilities to understand your starting point and potential limitations.

Externally, consider the broader context, such as industry trends, economic conditions, competition and potential opportunities or threats. By conducting a thorough environmental scan, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of the landscape in which you operate. This awareness allows you to make strategic decisions that are well-aligned with reality and better anticipate potential obstacles or changes. Pragmatically assessing the environment helps you stay adaptable and proactive, positioning you for greater success.

Set realistic goals: pragmatically setting realistic goals is about defining clear objectives that are achievable given your current circumstances and resources. It involves a careful assessment of your current situation, including available resources, skills and constraints. By adopting a pragmatic approach, you can establish goals that are challenging, yet attainable, setting yourself up for success rather than disappointment.

Pragmatic goal-setting requires breaking down larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks that can be accomplished incrementally. This methodical approach allows you to track progress more effectively and make necessary adjustments along the way. Pragmatism also emphasizes flexibility, enabling you to revise your goals as circumstances change. By grounding your goals in reality and remaining open to modifying them when needed, you can stay focused on achieving meaningful and achievable outcomes.

Be open to feedback: being open to feedback is crucial for growth and improvement. When you listen to feedback from others, you gain different perspectives and insights that can help you identify areas for improvement or opportunities you may have overlooked. Embracing constructive criticism allows you to adjust your approach and refine your strategies. By welcoming input from colleagues, mentors, or peers, you can stay informed about changing circumstances, have a current understanding of the context and environment you are operating in and can remain agile in your decision making.

Prioritize flexibility: prioritizing flexibility means being open to change and willing to pivot when necessary. In planning and decision making, it’s important to consider different scenarios and remain open to alternatives. This approach allows you to respond effectively to unexpected challenges and seize new opportunities. By leaving room for flexibility, you can adjust your plans as circumstances evolve, ensuring you stay on track to achieve your goals. Flexibility is a key component of pragmatism, as it enables you to adapt your strategies to fit the situation at hand.

Focus on outcomes: focusing on outcomes means prioritizing the results you want to achieve over the methods you use to get there (within reason). While having a plan is important, being too rigid in your approach can hinder progress. Instead, keep your eye on the desired outcomes and be open to exploring different paths to reach them. By staying outcome-oriented, you can evaluate the effectiveness of your strategies and make adjustments as needed. This focus allows you to be more adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges, ultimately increasing your chances of success.

Learn from experience: learning from experience involves reflecting on your past successes and failures to gain valuable insights that can guide your future decisions. By analyzing your experiences, you can identify patterns and trends that may help you improve your strategies. This process of reflection allows you to understand what worked well and what didn’t, enabling you to make more informed choices in the future. Incorporating lessons learned from experience helps you refine your approach, adapt to new situations, and continuously improve your skills and capabilities.

Conclusion

Pragmatism is about focusing on what works and being open to change when necessary. By knowing when to give up the ideal to get closer to where you need to be, you can achieve your goals more effectively and lead a more satisfying life. Being flexible and adaptable will allow you to navigate challenges and opportunities with greater ease and resilience.

Tory McNally, CPHR, BSc., vice-president, HR consulting is a human resource professional, radio personality, speaker and problem solver. She can be reached at tory@legacybowes.com