Occasionally, bending the rules or pulling a fast one seems like a brilliant shortcut.
However, being devious isn’t just morally wrong (I know, I know…) but it’s also pretty risky and can block up in your face. You might think you’re being clever, but the underhanded moves you pull often come back to haunt you in ways you never could have anticipated — and yes, the consequences can be incredibly nasty. Here are some possible consequences of devious behaviour to beware of.
1. Your mates start giving you the cold shoulder.
Think you’re being slick by gossiping behind someone’s back or stirring up drama? Well, don’t be surprised if your friends start giving you a wide berth. People aren’t daft—they’ll cotton on to your sneaky ways and realise they could be next on your hit list. Before you know it, you’re left out of plans, and your inbox is suspiciously quiet. It’s a lonely place when everyone’s worried you’ll stab them in the back the moment they turn around.
2. You end up in a right pickle trying to keep your stories straight.
Spinning yarns might seem like a clever way to wriggle out of sticky situations, but it’s a slippery slope. The more fibs you tell, the harder it gets to keep track of them all. You’ll find yourself frantically trying to remember which version of events you told to whom, and eventually, you’ll trip up. It’s exhausting, really. Plus, when you’re caught out (and trust me, you will be), you’ll look like an absolute muppet. Is it worth the mental gymnastics and the inevitable embarrassment?
3. Your boss starts eyeing you suspiciously.
Source: Unsplash Thought you were being cunning by fudging those numbers or taking credit for someone else’s work? Think again. Bosses didn’t get to where they are by being thick. They’ve got a keen nose for sussing out dodgy behaviour. Even if you don’t get caught red-handed, your manager might start questioning your every move. Suddenly, you’re under the microscope, and that promotion you were after? It’s gone up in smoke. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.
4. You become the office pariah without realising it.
Source: Unsplash Ever notice how the office vibe changes when you walk in? If you’ve been playing dirty at work, your colleagues might be giving you the silent treatment without you even clocking it. It starts with hushed conversations that stop when you approach, and before you know it, you’re eating lunch alone every day. Your devious tactics might have scored you a short-term win, but now you’re stuck in a toxic work environment of your own making. Good luck trying to collaborate on projects when no one wants to team up with you.
5. Your personal relationships take a nosedive.
Source: Unsplash Think your sneaky behaviour only affects your work life? Think again, mate. That habit of bending the truth or manipulating situations has a nasty way of seeping into your personal life. Your partner starts questioning everything you say, and your family gives you those looks that scream, “We don’t believe a word you’re saying.” Before you know it, trust becomes as rare as a sunny day in Manchester. Is winning that petty argument or avoiding a bit of awkwardness really worth the deep-seated doubt you’ve planted in your loved ones’ minds?
6. You develop a reputation as unreliable.
Source: Unsplash Flaking on plans at the last minute because something better came up? Or maybe you’re always “stuck in traffic” when you’re really just running late? These little white lies might seem harmless, but they add up. Soon enough, people stop inviting you to things or relying on you for important tasks. Your friends start making backup plans because they know you’re likely to bail. It’s a massive pain when you actually need someone to trust you, but you’ve burned all your bridges with your flaky behaviour.
7. Your self-esteem takes a massive hit.
Here’s a kicker you might not see coming: all that devious behaviour can do a number on your self-esteem. Yeah, you heard that right. Constantly lying, manipulating, or cheating your way through life might seem like you’re getting ahead, but deep down, it chips away at your self-worth. You start questioning if you’re actually good enough to succeed on your own merits. It’s a bit like building a house on quicksand—looks solid at first, but it’s only a matter of time before the whole thing comes crashing down.
8. You miss out on genuine connections.
When you’re always playing games and putting on a front, you rob yourself of the chance to form real, meaningful relationships. Sure, you might think you’re protecting yourself or getting the upper hand, but at what cost? People connect through vulnerability and authenticity, not through smoke and mirrors. By always trying to be one step ahead, you end up miles behind in what really matters—genuine human connection. It’s a lonely place when you realise no one knows the real you because you’ve been too busy playing pretend.
9. You start being paranoid about people’s motives.
Source: Unsplash When you’re constantly up to no good, you start seeing shadows everywhere. You might find yourself second-guessing everyone’s intentions, convinced they’re all out to get you. It’s exhausting, really. Every friendly gesture becomes suspicious, and you’re always on edge, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Before you know it, you’re the one creating a toxic environment, pushing away perfectly decent people because you can’t shake the feeling that they’re as devious as you are. Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy!
10. Your creativity takes a back seat.
Here’s a weird one for you: all that energy you’re pouring into being sneaky? It’s sapping your creative juices. When you’re always looking for shortcuts or ways to manipulate situations, you’re not flexing those problem-solving muscles. You might think you’re being clever, but in reality, you’re training your brain to avoid genuine challenges. Soon enough, when you actually need to come up with an innovative solution, you’re left scratching your head, wondering where all your brilliant ideas have gone.
11. You start to believe your own nonsense.
Ever heard of the saying “you are what you eat”? Well, the same goes for the rubbish you spout. If you’re constantly spinning yarns and bending the truth, you might start to lose track of what’s real. It’s a slippery slope, for sure. One day, you’re embellishing a story to make yourself look better, and before you know it, you actually believe you’re God’s gift to mankind. This inflated sense of self isn’t just annoying to other people; it can lead you to make some daft decisions based on your imaginary abilities.
12. Your stress levels go through the roof.
Source: Unsplash Think being devious is a walk in the park? Think again. It’s actually a one-way ticket to Stress City, population: you. Constantly watching your back, making sure your stories line up, and worrying about getting caught — it’s enough to give anyone grey hairs. Your body’s not stupid; it knows when you’re up to no good. That gnawing feeling in your gut? That’s your conscience having a right go at you. Before long, you’re dealing with sleepless nights, tension headaches, and a general feeling of being on edge. Is that really how you want to live your life?
13. You lose touch with your moral compass.
Source: Unsplash Here’s a scary thought: the more you engage in devious behaviour, the easier it becomes to justify increasingly dodgy actions. It’s like a moral slippery slope. You start with small fibs, then move on to bigger lies, and before you know it, you’re doing things you never thought you’d be capable of. The line between right and wrong becomes blurrier with each devious act. One day, you might wake up and realise you don’t recognise the person staring back at you in the mirror. It’s an identity crisis in the making.
14. Your professional growth stagnates.
Source: Unsplash Sure, your sneaky tactics might score you a few quick wins at work, but in the long run, you’re shooting yourself in the foot. When you’re always looking for shortcuts or ways to game the system, you’re not actually developing valuable skills or knowledge. Your colleagues are busy upskilling and taking on new challenges, while you’re stuck in the same old patterns of deception. Before you know it, you’re left behind, wondering why everyone else seems to be moving up the ladder while you’re still on the bottom rung.
15. You attract the wrong sort of people.
Ever heard the phrase “birds of a feather flock together”? Well, when you’re constantly engaging in devious behaviour, don’t be surprised if you start attracting other shifty characters. It’s like you’re sending out a beacon for fellow schemers and manipulators. While it might seem great at first to have partners in crime, it’s a recipe for disaster. These relationships are built on shaky ground, and you’ll always be looking over your shoulder, wondering when they’ll turn their tricks on you. It’s a bit like trying to build a sandcastle during high tide — good luck with that!
16. You rob yourself of genuine achievements.
Source: Unsplash Here’s the kicker: by always taking the devious route, you’re cheating yourself out of the satisfaction of real accomplishments. Sure, you might get that promotion or win that contract through underhanded means, but deep down, you know you didn’t earn it fair and square. That nagging voice in your head will always be there, reminding you that your success is built on sand. The thrill of genuine achievement, of knowing you’ve succeeded through your own merit and hard work? That’s priceless, and it’s something your devious ways will never let you experience fully.
