We all have ultimate goals that we would love to achieve. We may want to live healthier lives, have a toned body, or get that promotion. Ultimate goals are positive, and they motivate us to take action but an ultimate goal without a plan is just a wish…
Focused on the Outcome?
It’s most likely that practically all of the new year’s resolutions that you’ve ever set yourself had you focused on the ultimate goal without putting a plan together. When you focus solely on the end result you can actually fall into a negative mindset. What can happen when you set your goal to lose 20 pounds is that you become obsessed with that goal and you subliminally feel that you won’t be happy until you lose all 20 pounds.
By focussing too strongly on the ultimate goal you ignore the process that gets you there. This mindset can also encourage the wrong kinds of behaviours. If you only care about losing weight by a certain date, then you won’t see any difference between weight loss habits that are sustainable or a crash diet that’ll move the scale but at the expense of your long-term health.
Focus on the Process
The thing to do is to get SMART…Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound steps to get to your ultimate goal.
Put yourself in control of the process. If your ultimate goal is to lose 20 pounds then your process to achieve that goal may be to workout in the gym 4 times a week and not to snack after 7pm. These steps are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound…and by focusing on this process each week, you shift you focus from the magnitude of your ultimate goal and still achieve it.
We’ve all heard our favorite sports stars saying that they “Follow the process”. They have learned that it’s far too easy to swing from the high of a win to the low of a loss. Either one can cause you to lose your discipline and forget about the process.Forming a habit gives you something consistent to focus on. Results may vary, but the process stays the same, no matter what. Each day brings you closer to your ultimate goal and gives you the satisfaction of knowing that you’re getting a little better. Then, instead of waiting to celebrate the ultimate goal, celebrate each time you successfully complete your process.
Follow the process, and the results will come.
