Mason's Bad Strategy 
Joe Ferguson, PhD | March 5, 2010

     Mason is learning to walk. His current method is to advance the foot that is already closest to wherever it is that he wants to go. This strategy is apparently based on the theory that this part of himself is already closest to his goal, and that when his foremost part reaches his objective then he will, in some sense, have arrived. Of course, Mason falls right over when he implements this strategy. He will soon realize that he needs to bring up his rear so that all of his parts can eventually arrive at his destination together. Then Mason will be able to walk.

     It is remarkable how some very intelligent adults can persist for long periods of time, even decades, pursuing strategies that clearly do not work in their attempt to achieve objectives that are extremely important to them. Some common bad strategies are demanding love, complaining about another’s behavior, hoping for success, timing the markets, looking for love in all the wrong places, tapping his or her phone, interrogating him or her in a prosecutorial way, trying to control anyone, actively pursuing happiness, demanding gifts or respect from anyone, visualizing anything without acting, drinking to relieve depression, Mountain Dew in general, cocaine and other ultimately ineffective drugs, inappropriate doubt, inappropriate belief, blinding pessimism, blinding optimism, seeking respect by submission, hoping to retrain him or her in any significant way, flattering and patronizing anyone, bouncing on your heels naked over 50 in front of the bathroom mirror in the unlikely hope of discovering something reminiscent and flattering about yourself, New Year's resolutions in general, waiting patiently for anything, charging headlong into anything, insincerity in general, duplicity in general, and many other bad strategies that you are undoubtedly thinking of and implementing at this very moment. You probably know a great deal about your own bad strategies if you think about it. All of them can be isolated and dismantled in the light of vigorous reflection, in favor of far more effective approaches to your actual objectives. Call me.