What is most important is the distinction between the short-term accomplishments and long-term outcomes. In both test groups the long-term outcome was the same. All of the LEGOs went back into the same bin and all of the participants received the same amount of pay for the same amount of work. Since the researchers were interested in the labor market, let’s consider this from the perspective of a business. The completed LEGO sets (product) end up in the same bin (the market) and the worker earns the same amount (a salary). It is curious to note that we have language for each of these things, but no business language for the accomplishments from the perspective of the workers. The closest we have is the concept of “project milestones.” This vocabulary is insufficient because it still uses the same outcome-based metrics to evaluate success instead of accomplishment-based metrics.
— The Joy of Craft (Claes Zane), Loc. 756–63
I have never thought that way.