No doubt you have goals in place for 2025. However, nearly all professionals leave out perhaps one of the most critical elements in setting goals.
I see it all the time.
You’ve only set OUTCOME-DRIVEN goals rather than also including PROCESS-DRIVEN goals. Let me give you a quick example of what I mean…
At the 11th hour in November our 16-yr-old son decided to play basketball this season after not picking up a basketball for five months. With this being his junior year, he really wanted a varsity jersey.
However, showing up to practice every day with the goal of making a spot on the varsity team was zapping all the enjoyment out of playing the game.
He was so worried about making mistakes and whether each shot, each drill, each practice was getting him closer or farther from his outcome-driven goal.
Consequently, he wasn’t playing to his best.
After tryouts, he found out he didn’t get the varsity jersey. He was devastated. He came home deliberating on whether he even wanted to play basketball this year at all.
After a long talk, he decided to shift his focus. Rather than having the outcome-goal of getting a varsity jersey, he set his intention toward 3 process-driven goals for each practice:
- Giving his best effort
- Having fun
- Improving a little bit each day
After each practice he’d ask himself
- Did I give my best?
- Did I choose to have fun?
- What’s one area I got at least 1% better today?”
Immediately the weight of his earlier outcome-driven goal was lifted and he started having fun on the court again.
He played freer with less stress and anxiety.
Making good decisions during the games started becoming clearer.
He stopped hesitating with the ball in his hands because he wasn’t afraid of messing up.
He was working towards goals 100% within his control without the external pressure.
And 3 weeks later, he got his varsity jersey.
There’s nothing wrong with an outcome-driven goal. However, when that’s all you have, you sit in a self-imposed prison of anxiety and stress until you get there. That is IF you get there.
Worse yet, your performance won’t be what it could because you’re not having fun and playing free. Research shows those are two critical ingredients to high-level performance.
Set the outcome goal, but don’t be DRIVEN by it. Be DRIVEN by the process. And make that process enjoyable and 100% within your control. Then, day-to-day, fix your focus on the PROCESS.
Take a look at your 2025 goals.
What are 2-3 process-driven goals you can create as a regular, enjoyable routine in your day that would likely lead to your ultimate desired outcome anyway?
