Is it better to be right or effective?

Is it better to be right or to be effective? When communicating, be it personally or professionally, think first about what you hope to  achieve. This simple practice can transform how we communicate. And transform what we gain from engaging.

While it may sound obvious, in order for a mindfulness practice to be useful it must be effective. The role of effectiveness is less about the practice itself but rather our own intent.

It’s no secret that we are often our own biggest enemy when it comes to making progress or in acting change. Whether we are stuck in contemplation or continually self-sabotaging, we find innumerable ways to artificially prevent evolution. A big challenge that many people face is a desire to be right. But what good is being right when it is ineffective?

So the practice of effectiveness is one of learning to control emotion and respond to fact. We must put our desire for perfection or perception aside and focus only on what will effectively advance our goals. While we want to keep a focus on process, we can’t allow our process to eliminate outcome. That is ineffective.

So be mindful of outcome. What are your goals? Are your current actions in the situation effective in moving towards them?

What works? Focus on those things. Don’t allow emotion to get in the way of effectiveness. We only need to act in a manner that is commensurate with the situation as it is. Not as we wish to be in or the one that is “fair” or comfortable. We must accept the situation and act accordingly.

We can’t be willful and expect to see change. We must act in a manner that is malleable and that values outcome over being right. Let go of ego and instead put your energy into effectiveness. Or continue to be right and miserable. The choice is yours.