Achieving results versus understanding why

[The Greeter]

Dear Deltas:

When you do something, do you feel that you understand why and how you are doing it (or at least would like to understand), or are you satisfied with the completion of the thing of that which you are doing, without any understanding?

Let me know if you would like me to rephrase the question.

[Galen]

What kind of 'something' are we talking about?

I guess in general I'd like to understand what I'm doing, otherwise it seems like mindless motion. This seems like something that everybody would agree with though, regardless of type.

[The Greeter]

What kind of 'something' are we talking about?

"Something" could be anything. It's solving a math problem, building a car, writing an essay, drawing a picture, creating graphics or music, using your computer, entertaining a crowd, playing the stock market, teaching, learning, singing and dancing...the list goes on.

I guess in general I'd like to understand what I'm doing, otherwise it seems like mindless motion. This seems like something that everybody would agree with though, regardless of type.

I wholeheartedly are with this.

[tiny_dancer]

Yes. Depending on how big the project/decision/whatever, I'll put varying degrees of research into it.

[Galen]

"Something" could be anything. It's solving a math problem, building a car, writing an essay, drawing a picture, creating graphics or music, using your computer, entertaining a crowd, playing the stock market, teaching, learning, singing and dancing...the list goes on.

Ah, I ask because I find that when questions this broad are asked in relation to socionics, the idea of 'something' tends to vary between types. In other words, some people/types might want to understand what they're doing with some things and not others, and another type might feel the opposite way about those two things. But this is all speculation, and your question may lead to something interesting.

[The Greeter]

Yes. Depending on how big the project/decision/whatever, I'll put varying degrees of research into it.

I think this is a good answer. Thank you.

Ah, I ask because I find that when questions this broad are asked in relation to socionics, the idea of 'something' tends to vary between types. In other words, some people/types might want to understand what they're doing with some things and not others, and another type might feel the opposite way about those two things. But this is all speculation, and your question may lead to something interesting.

Ah, you're definitely seeing another direction that this thread could go that I had not seen before! I like that. I made the question broad on purpose: to see if people's response was to simply say 'yes', or 'no' or placing some conditions before answering the question.

Hopefully, more people will respond; I don't want to make a conclusion just yet.

[Suz]

I can't learn or memorize anything unless I understand it. It's not that I dont want to, I'm just unable to. . .it's an impossibility for me.

[jewels]

I want an understanding of how it relates to the bigger picture of my goals. If any task is supporting one of my life goals, I'm happy to do it (even if I dislike it). If not, I'll really lose motivation fast. I don't need to understand the whole thing (like the reasoning behind a math problem), I'd rather just find the fastest solution as quickly as possible. I don't really care "why" it works, just that it works.

[Suz]

I want an understanding of how it relates to the bigger picture of my goals. If any task is supporting one of my life goals, I'm happy to do it (even if I dislike it). If not, I'll really lose motivation fast. I don't need to understand the whole thing (like the reasoning behind a math problem), I'd rather just find the fastest solution as quickly as possible. I don't really care "why" it works, just that it works.

Wow I am really different as far as wanting to understand the why. However, just like you, it needs to relate to a life goal or motivation that I have (usually people-related), otherwise it's of no interest to me and will be an endeaver of great tedium.

[Lobo]

Dear Deltas:

When you do something, do you feel that you understand why and how you are doing it (or at least would like to understand), or are you satisfied with the completion of the thing of that which you are doing, without any understanding?

Let me know if you would like me to rephrase the question.

I usually want to know what I'm doing. Thing is, when stress is put in the mix to have that thing finished, I might get to the point of not caring in the slightest in answering the how or why and just having it done.

[force my hand]

Dear Deltas:

When you do something, do you feel that you understand why and how you are doing it (or at least would like to understand), or are you satisfied with the completion of the thing of that which you are doing, without any understanding?

Let me know if you would like me to rephrase the question.

One of the biggest issues I have with others in a work-related context is with respect to this issue.

In some cases, metaphorically, grabbing a hammer and smashing something is a very effective means to an end. But without an understanding of the issue at hand, any success met with this method is blind luck. More often excess work is generated, to my ire. An understanding, in this context, is extremely important.

Additionally, which may relate more to type (or perhaps not) is the sense of a task not just done, but well-completed. Ask an artist and he or she might focus overmuch on the journey; something I often label 'flow' for my own personal relevance.

[munenori2]

I don't consider myself a delta, but as far as doing things goes, I either unhealthily try to analyze why I did or didn't do something, or I happily proceed to or refrain from doing it. Overthinking is bad news bears.

[Marie84]

I would suppose that if what I'm doing holds no value to me, but needs to be done none the less, I'd rather just understand what I'm doing to simply make it easier to do, and complete.
But if it's something that's important, yet difficult, to me I'd prefer that I'm able to complete it. It creates a feeling of accomplishment..

Though I'm not sure if this would work for every situation...

[Suz]

I don't consider myself a delta, but as far as doing things goes, I either unhealthily try to analyze why I did or didn't do something, or I happily proceed to or refrain from doing it. Overthinking is bad news bears.

story of my life

[leckysupport]

But if it's something that's important, yet difficult, to me I'd prefer that I'm able to complete it. It creates a feeling of accomplishment..

So, if the task is difficult and important you don't want to know what you're doing?

[DirectorAbbie]

I decide what needs done and why before I do it. It's usually obvious.

[jewels]

for example, when doing taxes...I don't need to know the history of tax laws and the recent politics of taxes...or even the ideas behind a particular exception.

I just what to know which box to check. I want the taxes done correctly and that's it.