Want to have more impact at work? Focus on process goals
We are wired to believe that outcomes are the only things that matter for success. We feel successful when we get a promotion, make partner, build a successful business, hit sales targets, or cure a patient.
Because of what we believe about success, our days can sometimes feel like a dog chasing its own tail. The outcomes that we want are often outside our control, and we end up feeling discouraged when we don’t achieve them.
What if there were another way to think about success? One that simultaneously lets you get the results you want and provide you with peace of mind? The truth is that there is a better way. If you are serious about getting results, you should start focusing less on outcomes and more on process. Process goals are the key. You can start with these three techniques:
(1) Understand the two types of goals. Most goals fit into one of two basic categories - outcome goals and process goals. Outcome goals are the results that you hope to achieve. Process goals are the steps you need to get there. The problem with outcome goals is that they often aren’t in your control. Process goals are. For example, if you are a surgeon, you can control how you care for a patient (process goal), but you often can’t control whether the patient is cured (outcome goal). Realizing the difference can give a professional a choice about what to focus on. Because your time and energy are finite commodities, it is best to spend them wisely.
(2) Focus on process goals. It is key to have a high-level understanding of what you want to achieve. Once you have a clear vision, research has shown that you are better off focusing on process goals that are within your control. By doing things that are within your control, you tend to feel more motivated and have more confidence to move forward. A good process goal should be specific, measurable, and within your control.
(3) Make better decisions. We make many decisions every day. If we want to make better decisions within our team and across the organization, we need to focus on process. Strategic decision experts have found that good decisions tend to follow robust processes at the time they are made. In other words, we should judge a decision by the process we used to arrive at the decision, not its outcome. It makes sense to focus on what we can control (how to frame a problem, what information to look at, who to involve in the decision-making process, etc.) and not fret over what we can’t (the end-result). Many of the largest companies in America use this decision framework in making decisions, and we should too.
I hope these three techniques will help you have more impact at work. Please reach out to me if you need professional assistance with this topic. Drop me a note through the Contact page if you have any questions.
