Process Goals vs. Outcome Goals

Why Both Matter — and How to Use Them Wisely

Every athlete wants to win. That’s the outcome. But winning depends on a lot of factors — some within your control, others not. That’s where process goals come in.

Outcome goals are the results you want: winning a race, earning a scholarship, hitting a personal best. They’re motivating, but they don’t tell you how to get there.

Process goals, on the other hand, focus on the controllable steps: your mindset, effort, routines, and execution. They’re about what you can do today to move closer to that bigger vision.

For example:

• Outcome goal: Finish in the top 3 at regionals.

• Process goal: Maintain controlled breathing and positive self-talk during every rep in training.

The best performers use both. The outcome provides direction; the process provides traction. Without process goals, you drift. Without outcome goals, you lack purpose.

Next time you set a goal, ask: What can I control today that moves me closer to the result I want? The answer is your process. Focus on it — and the outcomes will often take care of themselves.

~James Elhart