Are you Outcome-focused or Process-focused?

When we start working with a new client, we ask them about their goals and why they contacted us for guidance in the first place. The answers we get are highly varied. Some are very specific, while others are quite general. Some examples are wanting to: change body composition, train for a specific activity, rehab an injury, improve their overall health, increase strength, resolve chronic pain and so on and so forth.

Once we clarify what the priority is for our client, we set out to devise a plan to help them move toward their goal. This plan is unique to each person and dependent on where their starting point is. Now, understanding our client’s mindset is equally as important as defining the goal. How do they think about the task at hand?

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You can approach any goal with two different mindsets. You can be more outcome-focused, or process-focused and there are pros and cons to each.

Being outcome-focused is a mindset that drives individuals to focus on achieving specific results. It means approaching tasks with a clear vision of the desired outcome and working towards it systematically. Being outcome-focused promotes accountability and encourages problem-solving, as it keeps people focused on the end goal. By embracing an outcome-focused approach, individuals can enhance productivity, drive creativity, and potentially deliver consistent successful results. But ultimately, you don’t feel prideful or satisfied until the outcome is achieved. You are so focused on getting to the finish line, that the work to get there is not as enjoyable as it could be. This makes goals like fat loss challenging because you can’t necessarily assign a definite time frame on reaching the target weight. Thus, people tend to feel defeated, exhausted, and derailed when they don’t achieve their goal within an expected amount of time. Having a clearly defined goal is great, but you also need an understanding of and appreciation for the steps required to get there.

Being process-focused is a valuable trait that sets individuals apart in various aspects of life, including the workplace and personal endeavours. When someone is process-focused, they prioritize the steps and strategies required to achieve a goal rather than solely focusing on the end result. They recognize the importance of thorough planning, organization, and attention to detail. A process-oriented mindset allows individuals to break complex tasks into manageable steps, ensuring efficiency and productivity. Moreover, being process-focused fosters a sense of discipline and commitment, as individuals understand the significance of following a systematic approach. This mindset also promotes continuous improvement, as analyzing and refining processes leads to enhanced outcomes. Ultimately, being process-focused nurtures a structured approach that can enable people to achieve their goals effectively and consistently. So in the case of our fat loss example, adopting a process-focused mindset would allow you to feel satisfaction during the course of the journey towards the end result, as opposed to only when the goal is achieved. On the flip side, if you lose sight of your goal, or if your goal is not strong enough, you may wind up committing to processes that aren’t steering you closer to your desired outcome.

We believe that both mindsets are important. You need a clear goal to be your north star, but you also need to educate yourself on the processes needed to achieve that goal. In keeping with our example, there are many steps on the road to fat loss, including but not limited to adjustments to nutrition, exercise, sleep, hydration, stress management etc. Celebrating the small wins along the way can fuel your efforts until you reach your goal.

So, while you can achieve results with either of these mindsets, a combination is best. An outcome-focused mindset is essential for creating a clear goal to move toward. If you don’t know where you’re traveling to, it’s easy to get lost, distracted and unmotivated. The process-focused mindset allows you to enjoy the ride to get to your goal, however long or short that may be. It also allows you to more easily continue to practice the habits you have adopted because once you are at your target body composition, then what? Life is long and you’d presumably like to maintain the outcome you worked so diligently to achieve.

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