Re: Outcome focus

[Guest guest]

I'm sure it is different for different peop le, Lou. Some people might only get value if things change, others might get value from the very act of speaking up. Of course, you can do both, and be active both in the wider sense but also in being active very narrowly in your local community by helping more directly smaller numbers of people. So, I am politically active in my constituency in England and do the various things which make me feel good for speaking up (but, ultimately, these campaigns don't really do much). I live in a democracy (of sorts!) and it makes me feel good for taking part in it. But then we also do community clean-ups, like tidying an area that has been victim to fly-tippers.Also, don't forget that whilst you might not be able to see the direct outcome of some of your work, it doesn't mean

it hasn't made a difference. I may campaign on a particular issue, handing out leaflets, and, who knows, perhaps a teenager reads it, perhaps he thinks about it, and perhaps one day in the future he is working in an organisation where he can actually do something about it. Who knows! Go get 'em xSubject: Outcome focusTo: ACT_for_the_Public Date: Wednesday, 6 July, 2011, 5:34I have thought a lot about the `outcome' focus and really haven't been able to understand it the same way the ACT professionals do. I found it confusing because it seems to me that the reason we do stuff

is for an eventual outcome, otherwise why are we doing it?My therapist brought it up again so I've been sitting with the many thoughts surrounding `outcome'. I think I made a small breakthrough? Maybe, it does feel different for sure. In my mind, I started to run through all my valued action akin to the life domain...family, yes action taken, no outcome...friends, yes action taken, some positive outcomes...parenting, copious action taken, negative outcomes...I kept going through the domains and considering the outcome, what did I achieve, how did I move forward by taking action?Well, I got to the life domain of `community' and suddenly felt an answer. My value in `community is `activism' and believe me, I am very active. My passion lies in social reform so I feel it is important to put a voice out there, despite the fact I realise I probably wont be heard. There is no hardcore outcome attached to that action, I know I can't change the

way the world works so it is the action itself that is the outcome. It matters most that I have taken action, not what comes from the action itself which is out of my control. Why do I practice activism? Because it is important to me, that's 'why' I do it.What do you guys think? Is the `outcome' taking the action or the results from the action itself? I lean towards the former.Lou------------------------------------For other ACT materials and list serves see www.contextualpsychology.orgIf you do not wish to belong to ACT_for_the_Public, you may unsubscribe by sending an email to ACT_for_the_Public-unsubscribe@...! Groups Links<*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ACT_for_the_Public/<*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional<*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ACT_for_the_Public/join (Yahoo! ID required)<*> To change settings via email: ACT_for_the_Public-digest ACT_for_the_Public-fullfeatured <*>

[Guest guest]

Lou asked: Is the 'outcome' taking the action or the results from the action itself?

Lou, the way I see it, taking action can be an outcome of prior actions, but I don't think your question quite hits on the crux of the matter. The desired outcome is not the problem; attachment to the outcome is the problem. Even when we act according to our values, we still cannot control the outcome. The desired outcome is only one possibility among many, and if you are attached to -- expect -- only that outcome to the extent of not being willing to accept any of the other possibilities, then you are hooked on attachment. You seem to realize this in your activism work when you say "There is no hardcore outcome attached to that action, I know I can't change the world." "Hardcore outcome " is just another way of saying "expected outcome". Actually, there are no "softcore" or malleable outcomes at all. What will be will be. You do have more influence on many things in your personal life than you do in the world in general, but do you really have control of any outcome?

I came across this saying many years ago and it seems to fit here: Nothing is expected and nothing is precluded. I often tell myself that and it helps keep me open to any possibility.

I've never had the honor of mothering another human being, so I offer this tentatively: Do you perhaps expect good and loving behavior from your child -- after all, you work diligently toward your value of being a good parent -- but are you recognizing the possibilities of the many factors that may preclude "good" behavior" on her part, instead choosing to shoulder the entire responsibility when your expected outcome is shattered? That would be attachment to outcome (imo) and is sure to set you up for disappointment, guilt, and a sense of failure.

I believe that child raising is the most difficult and the most important and the most frustrating! job in the world, so I apologize if I've spoken out of turn by voicing the above, especially coming from my lack of experience.

Best,

Helena

: "experiential2010" To: "ACT for the Public" <ACT_for_the_Public >Sent: Wednesday, July 6, 2011 1:34:50 AMSubject: Outcome focus

I have thought a lot about the `outcome' focus and really haven't been able to understand it the same way the ACT professionals do. I found it confusing because it seems to me that the reason we do stuff is for an eventual outcome, otherwise why are we doing it?My therapist brought it up again so I've been sitting with the many thoughts surrounding `outcome'. I think I made a small breakthrough? Maybe, it does feel different for sure. In my mind, I started to run through all my valued action akin to the life domain...family, yes action taken, no outcome...friends, yes action taken, some positive outcomes...parenting, copious action taken, negative outcomes...I kept going through the domains and considering the outcome, what did I achieve, how did I move forward by taking action?Well, I got to the life domain of `community' and suddenly felt an answer. My value in `community is `activism' and believe me, I am very active. My passion lies in social reform so I feel it is important to put a voice out there, despite the fact I realise I probably wont be heard. There is no hardcore outcome attached to that action, I know I can't change the way the world works so it is the action itself that is the outcome. It matters most that I have taken action, not what comes from the action itself which is out of my control. Why do I practice activism? Because it is important to me, that's 'why' I do it.What do you guys think? Is the `outcome' taking the action or the results from the action itself? I lean towards the former.Lou