Very frequently, you will have to choose between mutually exclusive desires. So often, we seek two or more things at the same time with conflicting costs. In every such case, you will have to choose which you want the most, because pursuing both will guarantee you obtain neither.
Only pursue lesser things to the extent that: 1) you have already apportioned all helpful resources to your primary objective, and 2) you have high confidence that any other pursuit doesn’t detract from the first, as effects can be hidden. Attempting to pursue mutually exclusive ends will never succeed and will often result in obtaining exactly none of the intended aims. Whenever there are conflicts, you need to know which of the competing things you seek is most important to you.
How can you know if you are pursuing mutually exclusive desires? Look at how well aligned your actions are with what you say you want. Do you act in ways that don’t lead to what you say you want?1 Is there a better way to obtain what you say you want? How do you use your time and money? If an AI bot analyzed your texts, email, and social media, would it correctly guess the desires you claim to have, or would that content point to something else?2
Footnotes
- 1. Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness. (2 Nephi 9:51) ↩
- 2. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. (Luke 6:45) ↩