Stick to Your Goals: The Power of Focusing on the Process Over the Outcome

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
– James Clear

 
Sticking to your goals can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s losing weight, learning a skill, starting a business, the journey can often seem daunting. But there’s a secret to success: focusing on the process, not just the outcome.

It’s natural to get excited about the end goal because you begin to imagine how much better your life will be. However, this is like trying to build a house without blueprints.

The real secret to goal-setting success is what all high achievers do: they tackle large goals by repeating impactful behaviours, allowing small wins to compound into big wins.

In this article, we will cover how to change your goal-setting strategies by:

1. The power of inputs and 5 benefits of process-focused approach

2. A quick 5-step method you can apply to any goal

3. A real-life example of how this approach helped me run a marathon
   

By the end, you’ll understand the power of focusing on the process and have practical steps to immediately make your goals more manageable and achievable. Embrace this philosophy and transform your approach to achieving goals with confidence and consistency.

Inputs vs Outputs
(Process-Focused vs Outcome-Focused)

Outputs: These are the end results like losing weight, learning a skill, or starting a business. Outputs provide clarity and short-term motivation. They define what we ultimately want to achieve. Having a why is very important because we very rarely work hard for nothing.

Inputs: These include processes and actions that lead to lasting change such as dieting, practicing, and getting feedback. Inputs are the blueprint to your metaphorical new house. They are specific, actionable, and within our control, leading to sustainable progress and lasting results.

Comparison

Outputs

• Outside your control

• Focuses on the future

• Vague

• Offers no guidance

Inputs

• Directly in your control

• Focuses on the present

• Specific

• Guides you to a result
  

5 Benefits of a Process-Focused Approach to Goal Setting

Sustainable & Lasting Results

By prioritising consistently repeating a high-impact behaviour, even if a small action, you create routines that contribute to building a new sense of identity. Once you identify yourself as a person who does x to achieve y, you make long-term success so much easier.

Analogy: If I begin to go to the gym 3 times a week, and I do it consistently. My behaviour corresponds someone who is a “gym-goer”. If I identify as a gym goer, it only makes sense to continue going to the gym because that is who I am.

Goals Are Less Intimidating to Start

Where many of us suffer is with operational procrastination – a difficulty engaging with and starting unclear tasks. Breaking large goals down into manageable chunks reduces your perceived level of effort, giving you confidence to start working on a new goal immediately. Having multiple easy, high-impact inputs to reach your goals grants you a variety of tools to continually make progress.

Analogy: If you are tasked with assembling a 1000-piece puzzle. Looking at the entire pile of pieces can be overwhelming. If you sort the pieces by edges and corners, and then group them by colours or patterns, you create smaller, more manageable tasks. Tackling these smaller tasks one at a time, you make approaching the entire puzzle significantly easier.

Higher Long-Term Motivation and Satisfaction

Small, consistent efforts create a positive feedback loop, boosting your confidence and satisfaction as you see progress. Even without immediate results, knowing that you are on the right path can reassure you to keep going because you know there is a purpose and tactical reason behind your actions.

Analogy: You take up running. At the beginning, you can’t run fast at all. But after a few runs, you notice that you’re getting faster. This sense of progression provides positive reinforcement that makes the previously unenjoyable act of exercising a source of personal satisfaction and pride.

Locus of Control

Focusing only on what you control is extremely empowering. By prioritising inputs, you no longer allow yourself to be a victim to circumstance. The truth is, many variables are just completely out of our control, so why worry on what we can’t influence? Even if the results are not what you expected, you can always be proud that you did everything you could to stack the odds in your favour.

Flexibility

When you define success on committing to processes, it’s impossible to fail because there are countless inputs you can try. If one doesn’t work, try another. Having multiple easy, high-impact inputs offers various tools to make continual progress. There is no failure, only lessons; what we call failures are just the price to pay for the world’s best education.

5-Step System to Apply a Process-Focused Approach to Goal Setting

1. Brainstorm Inputs for 5-Minutes

Instructions: Set a timer for 5 minutes and list every possible action you can take towards your goal. Write down everything that comes to mind without filtering.

Goal: Create a comprehensive list of potential inputs to work with.

2. Break It Down in Simpler Terms

Instructions: Review your list and break down each action into its simplest, most manageable form. Each input should be a small, specific task.

Goal: Simplify actions to make sure they are easy to start and complete.

3. Prioritise Your Inputs by Ease and Impact

Instructions: Score each input based on ease and impact using a 1-5 scale (1 = lowest, 5 = highest).

o   Ease: How easy is this task to complete?

1.    (Very Difficult): Requires significant effort, time, or resources.

2.    (Difficult): Requires considerable effort but is manageable.

3.    (Moderate): Requires a moderate amount of effort.

4.    (Easy): Requires little effort.

5.    (Very Easy): Can be done with minimal effort or time.

o   Impact: How much will this task contribute to achieving your goal?

1.    (Minimal Impact): Little to no contribution towards the goal.

2.    (Low Impact): Minor contribution towards the goal.

3.    (Moderate Impact): Moderate contribution towards the goal.

4.    (High Impact): Significant contribution towards the goal.

5.    (Very High Impact): Major contribution towards the goal.

Goal: Identify which tasks are both easy to do and highly impactful.

4. Review and Rank

Instructions: Add the ease and impact scores for each input to get a total score. Rank the tasks based on their total scores.

• 9-10: Must do immediately

• 7-8: Important but not urgent

• 5-6: Worth doing if time permits

• 4 or below: Consider eliminating or delegating

Goal: Create a prioritised list of tasks to focus on.

5. Regularly Review & Adjust

Instructions: Review your prioritised list and adjust as necessary. If a task no longer feels easy or impactful, re-score and re-rank it.

Goal: Ensure your plan remains relevant and effective as you progress.

By following this simple 5-step process, you'll be able to break down your goals into manageable tasks, prioritise them effectively, and adapt your plan as needed to ensure continued progress.

How a Process-Focused Approach Helped Me Complete a Marathon as a First-Time Runner

I’m not a runner, but last year I decided to run a marathon. I signed up for the Melbourne Marathon with only six months to prepare, despite never having run more than 5km before. To get ready in such a short time, there is not much room for error. So how did I do it? By focusing on the inputs. 

I had no idea what I was doing, so I began by breaking down what marathon runners do: run consistently, eat well, and sleep properly. I started with short, manageable runs that got gradually longer. Along the way, I slowly improved my sleeping and eating habits.

I faced tough obstacles: injuries, competing commitments and decreasing motivation. But I didn’t give up. Even when the outcome seemed out of reach and I thought I couldn’t do it, I trusted my process and kept slowly improving, which eventually boosted my confidence.

By starting with the easiest tasks and focusing on the process, I competed the marathon. It wasn’t easy, but it was manageable because I was strategic in my approach and had my focus on the most important actions.

Three Key Lessons:

1.    Imitate successful people if you’re unsure where to start.

2.    Accept slow, non-linear progress. Consistency combined with patience pays off.

3.    Goals of all kinds benefit from a process-focused approach, making it easier to start and stick to.

Final Thoughts

Never underestimate the importance of having a plan and committing to the easiest, high-impact inputs that lead to success.

Build your blueprint and be constantly willing to adapt your plan as things change and life gets in the way. Remember, you are in control!

I encourage you to try the 5-step process today for that one goal you’ve been putting off. It only takes 15 minutes to create a clear plan and start immediately making progress. Stick with it, and you’ll stick to your goals in the long-term.

Thanks a bunch for taking the time to read my post. Let me know how It goes when you try it.
Good luck!

– Alex