Results May Vary | No Nonsense November (2/26)
Each attempt reveals new possibilities. Embrace the unexpected outcomes on the path of growth and discovery.
Even when we’ve done something a thousand times, we tell ourselves we know the outcome. But reality has its own plan. Every action holds a world of possible outcomes we haven’t yet explored — subtle variations, unexpected twists, hidden layers we’ve yet to uncover. “Results may vary” isn’t just a disclaimer; it’s a reminder that each attempt, no matter how familiar, holds the potential to surprise us. Assumptions, no matter how safe, can’t account for every possibility.
This paper marks day two of No Nonsense November, a series where each day I aim to capture a core insight or reflection that comes up in my journey to cut out the noise, distractions, and excuses. With these daily takeaways, I’m diving into thoughts that challenge assumptions and expand perspectives, whether they’re about personal growth, productivity, or shifting mindsets. Today’s focus: the reality behind “results may vary” and how even the most familiar actions can yield unexpected outcomes. For more on No Nonsense November, check out the full article below.
Expectations and the Illusion of Predictability
When we repeat a task over and over, it’s easy to assume we can predict the outcome. Familiarity breeds confidence, and with each experience, we start to believe we “know” what will happen. This sense of predictability can become so strong that we feel certain of a specific result, overlooking the reality that “results may vary” — no matter how often we’ve done it.
Even in routine actions, countless subtle factors can alter the outcome. From shifts in our mindset to changes in external conditions, there’s always an element of unpredictability. It’s like walking down the same road every day, expecting the same sights and conditions. But one day, you notice a new detail or encounter something unexpected. Perhaps it’s a change in the weather, a new street performer, or even a realization that reshapes your perspective on that familiar path.
The idea that results can vary reminds us to remain open and attentive. No matter how much we think we know, each attempt holds the potential for a new experience or insight. Embracing this keeps us receptive to growth, encouraging us to approach each moment without the cloud of expectation but with a readiness to discover something new.
The Conditions for Variation: When Outcomes Shift Unexpectedly
The Conditions of Variation: Navigating Unseen Shifts and the Ripple Effect
Even with our best attempts to predict outcomes, the circumstances around us are constantly changing in ways that often go unnoticed. External factors — environment, timing, our mental state, and even the presence of others — can subtly influence the course of something we think we know inside out. These shifts reveal that while our expectations might feel justified, they’re not guarantees. Instead, they’re more like educated guesses, easily thrown off course by the smallest of changes.
Imagine performing a task flawlessly in one setting, yet struggling with the same task in another, even if both environments seem nearly identical. It’s not just about the action itself; it’s about how external influences, often so minor we overlook them, impact our performance and ultimately shape the outcome. Take cooking, for example: preparing a dish might seem straightforward, but even tiny changes — like using a different brand of spices, cooking with a slightly different pan, or the heat fluctuating slightly — can subtly shift the flavor and texture. The dish might turn out perfectly one day and taste different the next, even though you followed the same steps. These nuances, while minor, can have an outsized impact on the result.
Or consider rewatching a favorite movie. You may have seen it many times, but each viewing can feel distinct, influenced by your current mood, what’s happening in your life, or even how much you remember from previous viewings. A line of dialogue or a visual detail you missed before suddenly stands out, changing your interpretation of the story. The movie hasn’t changed, but the experience has been shaped by the subtle factors that make each viewing feel unique.
Similarly, in fitness, a routine that felt easy one day might seem challenging the next due to sleep quality, nutrition, or even the time of day you’re exercising. External stressors or emotional factors may also play a role, making your performance feel inconsistent. These fluctuations might seem insignificant at first glance, yet they introduce natural variability in your results, regardless of how experienced or practiced you are.
These subtle factors, which we might not account for in advance, weave a layer of unpredictability into even the most familiar activities. No matter how much we practice or refine a skill, every attempt is influenced by both the immediate and often unseen conditions around us, creating a ripple effect that makes each outcome unique.
This ripple effect — the cumulative impact of small, often invisible factors — means each attempt we make carries unique variables. Not every ripple makes a big splash; some go unnoticed, affecting the outcome in ways we only realize later. But collectively, these small shifts create a pattern of variation over time, guiding our journey in unexpected directions.
Acknowledging the variability in these conditions encourages flexibility and a broader understanding of our actions. Rather than clinging to a rigid expectation, we start to see each attempt as an evolving process shaped by both visible and invisible influences. By letting go of the need for certainty, we leave room for unexpected results, which often lead to deeper insights or improvements. Recognizing that the outcome isn’t solely within our control allows us to adapt more readily, opening us to the possibility of growth within the unpredictable. In doing so, we uncover new layers of understanding and learn to find value even in outcomes that initially surprise us.
The Senseless Nature of Rigid Expectations
Rigid expectations assume a fixed outcome, but in reality, the very act of doing something repeatedly redefines it with each attempt. Every time we engage with a familiar task, we’re subtly reshaping it, adding layers of complexity, depth, and understanding that weren’t there before. The idea that a task remains the “same” each time is an illusion. The truth is that performing a task once and performing it a hundred times are fundamentally different, even if they appear identical on the surface.
When we set rigid expectations, we overlook the fact that each attempt is built on the foundation of previous ones. Every repetition adds nuances — sometimes minor, sometimes transformative — that shape the outcome in new ways. This cumulative effect turns the task into something richer and more intricate, but rigid expectations trap us in the belief that we’re merely repeating the same action. In doing so, we blind ourselves to the subtle growth and insights that each attempt brings.
Overly fixed expectations are, therefore, senseless because they ignore the natural evolution embedded within repetition. Rather than demanding predictable results, embracing each attempt as a unique layer in an ongoing process allows us to appreciate the journey of refinement. With this mindset, we move beyond simply seeking outcomes and start valuing the process itself — recognizing that every repetition redefines and deepens our understanding, making each attempt a fresh opportunity for discovery.
The Hidden Factors Behind Every Attempt
Even when we repeat something we’ve done countless times, each new attempt holds a distinct potential because of everything that came before it. Every try adds another layer to our experience, sometimes subtly shifting our approach without us even realizing it. As we accumulate attempts, we’re not simply repeating the same action; we’re building on a foundation of past insights, tiny tweaks, and incremental adjustments. Each attempt carries the imprint of the last, creating a complex web of learned improvements and modified strategies.
Imagine you’ve been practicing a skill, like painting or playing a musical instrument. While every session might feel similar, each has contributed to refining your technique and enhancing your understanding. Maybe one day, a previous mistake suddenly clicks into a lesson, guiding your approach in a way that unlocks a fresh perspective or deeper mastery. This is the hidden magic of repeated attempts: they accumulate into a repository of insights and techniques, leading to an evolving process where the outcome might look familiar but is enriched by all the paths explored along the way.
In this way, every new attempt is not just a continuation of the last; it’s an opportunity to uncover new nuances born from the foundation of everything learned before. It’s the process of these repeated experiences that turns each outcome into something uniquely shaped by the journey of attempts, constantly adapting and improving as we go.
Conclusion: Embracing Uncertainty — Why Results May Vary
At the heart of this journey lies the understanding that results are rarely set in stone, no matter how many times we’ve traveled a path before. Each attempt is a new iteration, shaped by every experience that came before it. This accumulation of effort, insight, and subtle shifts in perspective is what fuels our growth, often leading to outcomes that surprise us, even when we thought we knew exactly what to expect.
“Results may vary” isn’t just a cautionary tagline; it’s a reminder that growth is inherently nonlinear. Each attempt brings with it potential for discovery and refinement, revealing the ways in which we continue to evolve. Every past experience we carry isn’t just “there” — it’s actively influencing how we approach each new endeavor, subtly shaping our actions, choices, and responses. Familiarity may make the process feel predictable, but in truth, each repetition is more than a simple reflection of the last. Instead, it’s enriched, honed, and adapted by everything we’ve learned along the way, often leading to variations in results that we might not have anticipated.
This natural variability isn’t a flaw; it’s the very essence of progress. If outcomes were always the same, there’d be no room for adaptation, no pathway to new insights or deeper mastery. Variability reminds us that we’re more than the sum of routines — we’re dynamic beings constantly interacting with changing conditions, fresh ideas, and evolving contexts. It’s these variations, these subtle shifts, that keep us growing. They push us to adapt and refine, allowing us to uncover perspectives we hadn’t noticed before.
Ultimately, embracing the “why” of variability teaches us to value each attempt not merely as another step but as an evolving reflection of our journey. Each unpredictable outcome is a testament to our accumulated resilience and learning, proving that growth isn’t about finding certainty but about thriving within the dynamic, ever-shifting landscape of progress itself. This variability makes progress vibrant, urging us to meet each moment with openness and curiosity, knowing that every attempt carries the promise of something new.
Thank you for diving into this exploration of “Results May Vary” — our second installment in No Nonsense November. Each day this month, I’m sharing a core insight or reflection as part of this journey to cut out distractions and focus on growth. If you’d like to read the first paper in the series, you can find it:
As always, your thoughts and reflections are welcome! Feel free to reach out at me@mostly.media, join the conversation on Twitter, or check out more content on Substack. For those who wish to support these writings, you can also find me on Ko-fi. Thank you for being a part of this journey!
