Focusing on Goals Vs Processes

These days, there is a greater focus on achieving goals than on the process of achieving these goals in the corporate world. A lot of this focus develops from our long-standing behavioral conditioning that starts in school with the constant pressure to do well in exams, sports and other competitions. This pressure also generates to a certain extent, depending on the environment at home and school, a fear of not being able to do as well as everyone else. Since we have grown up with these pressures and fears that have conditioned our personality, they tend to be subconscious but drive a lot of our desires and actions as adults including the strong need to achieve goals and results.

When we start working, we are again in a world of competition. The competition to get a higher bonus, promotion, title and salary. The race never ends and neither does the desire to accumulate and achieve. With social media, these desires are further compounded with visual images of family, friends and colleagues achieving their goals. These desires significantly affect how we experience life including our mental and physical health. Focus on the process, the how of achieving the goal, has taken a backseat. However, by not being devoted to the process, you are likely to be limiting the possibility of achieving your desired goal and your experience of life.

Focusing on the process instead of the goal can significantly improve the possibility of achieving goals and how you experience life. Firstly, without the right process, you will not achieve the right result. Therefore, be diligent in selecting your method by taking as much time as necessary. While this may slow you down initially, it will bring great satisfaction eventually. Secondly, being completely involved in doing what is needed means that all your energy and attention is focused on doing things the right way without being concerned about what others are doing or what you are getting out of it. This will not only mean that you are more likely to achieve what you set out to but also make the journey more enjoyable and meaningful. Thirdly, focusing on and enjoying the process means that you will have more positive energy and less stress about achieving the result without worrying about what others are doing. Positive energy builds on positive energy, so the more you have it the more of it you will get. The joy of doing what is needed and what you enjoy will propel you to produce your best work. Finally, when you really enjoy what you are doing without worrying about the result, your ability to create, innovate and ideate increases significantly. This will not only improve your own overall well being but also enable you to improve the lives of those around you.

Goals are important in their own context but without being devoted to the process it will be very difficult to become a master of your craft, which is integral to being successful and content on your own terms in the long run.