"البراغماتية هي موقف النظر بعيدًا عن الأمور الأولية والمبادئ والفئات والضرورات المفترضة والنظر نحو الأمور الأخيرة والثمرات والعواقب والحقائق."

Pragmatism is all about focusing on what works and what brings results. Instead of getting tangled up in big ideas, abstract principles, or theoretical necessities, it’s about turning our attention to the outcomes, the practical impacts, and the real-world facts.

Historically, this idea became prominent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, largely thanks to American philosopher William James. He and other pragmatists were reacting against the prevailing philosophical currents of the time, which often got bogged down in abstract theorizing. They wanted a philosophy that was grounded in the real world, something that could actually help people navigate and solve practical problems.

Think about this in the context of a startup. Imagine you're launching a new app. You’ve got this grand vision of how it’s going to change the world. You've got principles and a mission statement that sound fantastic. But what happens when users start giving feedback? Maybe they don’t like the interface, or they’re finding a certain feature totally useless. A pragmatist approach would suggest that instead of sticking rigidly to your original vision, you pivot based on what’s actually working and what your users are telling you. You look at the data, make adjustments, and focus on creating an app that people love to use.

So how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by really paying attention to outcomes. If you’re working on a project, rather than getting stuck on the initial plan, stay open to making changes based on what’s effective. Don’t be afraid to ask, “Is this working? What can we do better?” This means being flexible and adaptable, willing to shift your approach based on real-world results.

Here’s a relatable story to bring this home. Imagine Sarah, who’s training for a marathon. She’s got a set training plan that she found online, and she’s committed to sticking to it. But after a few weeks, she starts getting knee pain. A strict adherence to the plan (those “first things” or principles) might push her to keep going, potentially leading to a serious injury. Instead, she decides to be pragmatic. She consults a physiotherapist, who suggests a different training method that includes more rest days and strength training. Sarah changes her plan based on these practical insights and ends up not only avoiding injury but also improving her performance.

In essence, being pragmatic is about being grounded in reality. It's about valuing the end results over the initial plans and being willing to adapt as you go. This approach can change the way you tackle projects, solve problems, and make decisions—leading you toward more effective and successful outcomes. Imagine the difference it could make if we all started focusing a bit more on those “last things, fruits, consequences, facts” rather than getting hung up on the abstract. It’s a game-changer.