Process Goals vs Outcome Goals (With Examples for Athletes)

Process goals vs outcome goals is a distinction that can make or break your performance: outcome goals are outside your control, while process goals are the controllable steps you take to get there. You set outcome goals when you want to win a championship or achieve a personal record, but these goals can spike pressure and tighten you up. By focusing on process goals, you can keep yourself loose and actually raise the odds of achieving the outcome you want.

What Are Outcome Goals?

Outcome goals are the results you want to achieve, like winning a game or running a certain time. These goals are often outside your control, as they depend on factors like the performance of your opponents or the conditions of the competition. When you focus too much on outcome goals, you can start to feel anxious and pressured, which can hurt your performance. For example, if you're a basketball player and your only goal is to win the championship, you might start to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to perform.

What Are Process Goals?

Process goals, on the other hand, are the steps you take to achieve your outcome goals. These goals are within your control, and focusing on them can help you stay calm and focused under pressure. For example, if you're a tennis player, your process goals might include things like "hit 70% of my first serves in" or "make 80% of my volleys". By focusing on these process goals, you can take your mind off the outcome and stay present in the moment.

Converting Outcome Goals to Process Goals

To convert an outcome goal into a process goal, you need to identify the specific steps you can take to achieve the outcome. Here's a step-by-step protocol to do this:

1. Identify the outcome goal: Start by clearly defining what you want to achieve. For example, "I want to win the conference championship".
2. Break down the outcome goal into smaller parts: Identify the key components that will help you achieve the outcome. For example, "To win the conference championship, I need to perform well in the regular season and then win the tournament".
3. Identify the controllable steps: Break down each component into specific, controllable steps. For example, "To perform well in the regular season, I need to focus on my free throw shooting and my defensive positioning".
4. Create process goals: Turn each controllable step into a specific, measurable goal. For example, "I will practice my free throw shooting for 30 minutes every day" or "I will focus on staying in front of my opponent on defense".

Examples of Process Goals in Action

For athletes, process goals can be a powerful tool for improving performance. For example, a soccer player might have an outcome goal of scoring a certain number of goals in a season. To achieve this goal, they might set process goals like "I will take 10 shots on goal per game" or "I will make 5 runs behind the defense per game". By focusing on these process goals, the player can take their mind off the outcome and stay focused on the present moment.

If you're struggling with pressure and anxiety, you might want to check out our article on why athletes choke under pressure. You can also learn more about how to bounce back after a bad game. For a deeper understanding of how to build resilient confidence, you can read "resilient-confidence" by Giannis Notaras.

Takeaway

When you focus on process goals, you can take your mind off the outcome and stay present in the moment. This can help you perform better under pressure and achieve your goals. Remember to break down your outcome goals into smaller, controllable steps, and focus on the process of achieving them. With practice and patience, you can develop the skills and confidence you need to succeed.