Humans are creatures of habit. Whether it's in out nature or our psyches I don't know. But it is a fact that most people repeat the same actions over and over in their lives in spite of the failures previously encountered.
Our culture teaches us this with phrases like "If at first you don't succeed, try try again" and being told that truly successful people don't see failure but just a momentary set back. There is some truth to that. Perseverance is a good quality to have. And sometimes it isn't the action that failed but the environment it was tried in wasn't conducive to a positive out come.
Still, there is the Scott Adams Dilbert point of view: "If at first you don't succeed, try try again. If you still don't succeed move on. No sense being a damn fool about it!"
Knowing the difference between the two is the trick. It isn't always clear (if it's ever clear).
There's someone I know who so desperately wants to get recognition in his hobby field. For years he has tried all sorts of venues to push his agenda and ideas. The only results he's gotten is insulting many people, being seen as a joke at best (quack at worst), and alienated many people who would otherwise be a good support mechanism for him. His reply: Threats to sue! If you agree with him he's your buddy. If you disagree you're attacking him and he threatens to sue you for slander and liable. Not a graduate of Dale Carnegie training obviously. Yet he keeps this same routine over and over again for at least the last 3 years. Hasn't learned it doesn't work.
Creature of habit? Or insanity?
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