Focus on Outcomes Rather Than Outputs With These 6 Strategies

So many businesses miss a key point to achieving their goals. It is easy to think that what you need to attain extraordinary success is to focus on results and use these results to measure your progress. There is more success to be had by focusing on outcomes rather than output.

Dr. Deming, Dr. Wheeler, and others have famously said “Managing a company by means of monthly results is like trying to drive a car by watching the yellow line in the rear-view mirror.”

I have a young driver at home and I’m always saying to look forward. It’s the same in business. And while it may sound like common sense, it’s amazing how many executives and operating managers are doing just the opposite by the way they operate their performance management process.

Instead of focusing on your goal, the key may be to focus on process – and forget the result entirely. The road to any goal is a matter of taking one step after the next. The process will take you right where you want to be. Results are the enemy that distract and prevent us from seeing this.

When you focus on the process instead of the result, you will start to be more in control over the current work you are doing, instead of delaying till the milestone is achieved. Here are some strategies to help you be more process focused:

Build Confidence

Start small with something you know you can achieve. Self-confidence is your perception of your ability; the more you do, the more you believe you can do. That will help you set loftier goals. If you can’t achieve what you set out to do, start with something easier.

Make a Commitment, Not a Promise

After a few weeks of working toward a goal, it can be easy to let yourself off the hook. A commitment is non-negotiable: when you get married, you commit to your partner; when you have to be at work between certain hours, you are committed to it. There is no “well, maybe I won’t be committed today because I don’t feel like it.” Cut off excuses the moment they start.

Be Specific to Create a Framework

For example, say: at this time, this many days a week, I will do x for this many minutes. Put it in your calendar so you see it regularly and have already allocated time. It’s harder to opt out of something scheduled.

Habit Stacking

It’s easier to stick to a habit when you add it on to an existing habit. Some examples would be flossing your teeth after you brush them or doing core work before your run.

Getting Off Track

You made a commitment with the best intentions but sometimes you make mistakes. Say you are trying to lose weight and swore off chips… and you “accidentally” eat a whole bag! One mistake doesn’t mean you have to start over. Simply pick up immediately where you left off in your process. Examine what triggered you to break your new habit so you can course-correct. To achieve your goal, you don’t have to be 100% perfect with your process but you do have to trend in the right direction. Practice self-compassion but don’t let yourself off the hook.

Is it Working?

Create a support network around you with like-minded individuals to help keep you accountable and motivated. Measure your progress by looking back at what you have accomplished each week instead of looking forward and seeing how far you have to go.

When you start focusing your attention and energy less on the results but rather on the processes or the techniques involved you discover that you learn faster, are more successful and even happier at the outcome. Altogether you gain more in life when you focus on the process rather than the results.