How to achieve any of your goals 100% of the time?
Think about something in your life that you would like to change. Do you want more money? Do you want to lose weight? Have a stronger relationship?
To get any of these results, you have to set a goal. Unfortunately, many people get it wrong when it comes to goal setting. In fact, many people are focused on what we call outcome goals instead of process goals, which often sets them up for failure. So in this note, we will discuss the difference between these two. We will learn why it is dangerous to focus on just outcome goals.
Let's get started. So, what is the difference between Process goals and outcome goals? Process goals are the milestones that you can completely control. These are the specific actions where you can say you did or didn't complete them. For example, you can set a process goal of hitting the gym 4 times a week. Either you went to the gym that many times or you didn't.
On the other hand, Outcome goals focus on a specific milestone that is often out of your control. For instance, few outcome goals will include earning 100K in a year, beating a friend in a 5K run, or losing 20 pounds in 2 months. The truth is that even if you are one hundred percent dedicated to a result goal, you might hit an unforeseen obstacle that prevents you from reaching the milestone. Sure it is good to set ambitious goals. Sometimes even if you do all the right things you won't be successful. So why is to just dangerous to set outcome goals. The main issue is that it is too easy to get obsessed with the desired results instead of all the steps that are required to get there. This can lead to negative thinking especially when you encounter a challenge or an obstacle. For instance, if your goal is to lose 20 pounds and you consumed with this outcome, you subconsciously tell yourself I won't be happy until I lose 20 pounds. Even worse, you will focus on what you haven't achieved instead of behaviors you can control. You will start to think that you don't deserve happiness until you lose exactly 20 pounds. When you value the results over a process, you might not notice the small positive increment changes that you're actually making. Focus on outcome goals can also encourage the wrong kind of behaviors. If you are only concerned about the numbers you may ditch healthy weight loss habits for a crash diet which will temporarily move the scale at the expense of long-term health. But if you set process goals, you will focus on the right behaviors, that will ultimately help you reach the milestone that you want in life.
So we continue with the weight loss example, you can set a variety of process goals like:
1. Go to the gym 4 times a week
2. Walk 10,000 step each day
3. Eat seven servings of fruits and vegetables each day
4. Drink 64 ounces of water each day
5. Reduce my carb intake 50 300 grams per day
See each of these process goals is entirely under your control. Either you complete these goals or you don't. And the interesting thing is you follow the process you will typically achieve the outcome goal that you really want. For instance, if you focus on quality healthy food and get more exercise then it is relatively easy to shed those pounds. So what's the lesson here. Whenever you're about to set a goal, think about the process that will get you there. Ask yourself what habits do I need to build in order to reach this goal. Then instead of setting a arbitrary results goal write down your process goal where you are 100% in control of the outcome. Once you set the outcome goals create a habit around these behaviors.
So bottom line, follow the process and the results will come.
Now it is your turn to participate in the conversation by asking you few simple questions:
What is ONE long-term goal that is important to you? If it is an outcome goal, break it down into process goals with controllable actions and behaviors.
This is exactly what Sri Krishna had told us in Chapter 2 - Sankhya Yoga, 47th Sloka:
Karmanye vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana ?
Ma Karmaphalaheturbhurma Te Sangostvakarmani ??
Meaning- Your right is to perform your process work, but never to the results (outcomes). Never be motivated by the results of your actions, nor should you be attached to not performing your prescribed duties.