Why Doing Things Without Expecting Results Will Change Your Life

Ever notice how exhausting it is to constantly worry about outcomes? You text someone and keep checking your phone. You work hard and keep wondering if you'll get recognised. You help a friend and secretly hope they'll return the favour.

This mental exhaustion comes from living in "karma mode" - where every action is tied to an expectation. But there's another way to live, called "kriya," that can free you from this constant mental calculation.

Understanding these two approaches to action can literally change how you experience life. Let me break it down in a way that makes sense.

What's the Difference?

Karma is when you do something because you want a specific outcome. You're constantly thinking "I'm doing this SO THAT this will happen."

Kriya is when you do something just because it needs to be done, without being attached to what happens next.

Think of it like this:

• Karma mind: "I'll be nice to my boss so they'll promote me"

• Kriya mind: "I'll be respectful because that's how I choose to act"

Real-Life Examples

In Relationships

• Karma: Texting your crush constantly because you want them to text back

• Kriya: Texting because you genuinely want to share something, then putting your phone away

At Work

• Karma: Working only to get promoted and earn more money

• Kriya: Working because this is what you're doing right now, giving your best effort

Social Media

• Karma: Posting the perfect selfie and constantly checking likes

• Kriya: Sharing something you find interesting, then moving on with your day

Even "Bad" Stuff

Here's where it gets interesting - kriya applies to everything, even actions others might judge as wrong. It's not about the morality of the action, but about your mental state.

• Karma: Lying because you want to avoid consequences

• Kriya: If you choose to lie, you do it completely and not torture yourself about it afterward

Why Kriya is a Game-Changer

Less Anxiety - When you're not constantly calculating outcomes, you're way less stressed. You do your thing and let life unfold.

More Present - Instead of living in your head wondering "what if," you're actually engaged with what's happening right now.

Remove Mental & Emotional Baggage - With karma thinking, every action creates a mental loop: "Did it work? What's happening? Why isn't it working?" With kriya, you act and you're done. Clean slate.

Better Relationships - People can sense when you want something from them. When you interact without hidden agendas, relationships become more genuine.

How to Practice Kriya

Start Small

• Hold the door for someone without looking for a "thank you"

• Help a friend without expecting them to help you back

• Do your workout without obsessing over results

Notice Your Expectations

Throughout the day, catch yourself thinking "I'm doing this because I want..." Then ask: "What if I just did this because it's what I'm doing right now?"

The Phone Test

Next time you text someone, notice if you're waiting for a response. Practice sending the text and then genuinely moving on to something else.

Work/Study Differently

Instead of "I need to succeed at this," say "I'm going to engage fully with this task right now." The doing becomes the point, not the outcome.

Common Misunderstandings

"Doesn't this mean I shouldn't have goals?" Not at all. You can still plan and work toward things. The difference is you're not emotionally attached to the outcome. You do your best work and let the results be what they are.

"What if people take advantage of me?" Kriya never means being a pushover. You can set boundaries, have your shields and make strategic decisions. The key is doing it from clarity, not from emotional attachment to specific outcomes.

"Isn't this just giving up?" Actually, it's the opposite. When you're not wasting mental and emotional energy on anxiety about results, you can put more focus into the actual doing.

The Bottom Line

Life becomes simpler when you stop to control outcomes and start focusing on the quality of your actions. You'll find yourself less stressed, more present, and weirdly enough, often getting better results - because you're actually focused on doing things well instead of worrying about what happens next.

Give it go it a week. Pick one area of your life and practice acting without attachment to outcomes. See how it feels to just do things because they're what you're doing, not because of what you hope will happen.

Your future self will thank you for the peace of mind.