If You Want Different Results, Create a Different Process
When it comes to how we approach growth, whether in a personal or professional context, we have an important choice to make: should we be results-oriented or process-oriented?
Results-focused individuals tend to fixate on outcomes above all else. If the goal is to increase sales revenue, they define success solely by the bottom line, with less emphasis on the steps taken to get there. In contrast, process-oriented people prioritize inputs over outcomes, concentrating on the aspects they can directly control—systems, processes, and mindset—to establish a framework for consistent growth and achievement.
The Pitfalls of Being Exclusively Results-Oriented
I’m not here to tell you that results don’t matter. Especially in a professional context, we can’t tinker endlessly while producing no results and expect to be rewarded. Just as surely, though, being entirely results-focused is a recipe for failure.
As famously said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” Instead of trying to manipulate an outcome through sheer willpower, we have to be willing to interrogate and adapt our own processes if we want to make real change.
Have you ever done a digital crossword and got stuck in a corner? If you have, you know there’s a real temptation to simply input every single letter in each square until you’ve brute-forced a solution. Here is the perfect example of being results-oriented to the point that those results are hollow.
Sure, you’ve “finished” the puzzle, but you’ve not demonstrated the mastery required to do so. In other words, your victory is hollow. If you focused on the process instead, you’d sit there wracking your brain until a solution came. It may be slower, and you may not ever come to answer, but the work you’ve done will be your own.
The Importance of Process in Business
In business, emphasizing defined processes is crucial for long-term success. Richard Francis, CEO of Spotlight Reporting, shares his insights on my podcast Breaking Beliefs.
"On the advisory front, I've never been one to proclaim that compliance is dead. It's not. We still have to fulfill that essential part of our job. But what has always driven me is an unwavering commitment to doing things differently, taking a holistic view to provide my clients with the best possible outcomes for their lives."
Notice that Richard focuses on providing his clients with the "best outcomes" without claiming to know exactly what that entails for each individual. His approach revolves around continually experimenting with innovative services and processes, seeing what resonates with clients, and adapting to market conditions.
That mindset is so crucial to generating new ideas and systems. Complacency is the enemy of progress. It’s up to us to change our habits, our skills, and ourselves to keep growing. Whether we want to see innovation at our firms or better relationships in our lives, we can’t just assume we’ll get there because we want it to happen. We have to ask ourselves how we’re going to get there. It’s great to want to be “less stressed” at work, it doesn’t mean much without a plan.
The Benefits of Being Process-Oriented
Adopting a process-oriented mindset offers numerous advantages:
Increased adaptability: By focusing on processes, you can quickly adjust to changing circumstances and market conditions.
Enhanced learning and skill development: Continuously refining your processes allows you to acquire new knowledge and skills more effectively.
Greater sense of control: Concentrating on aspects within your direct influence reduces stress and anxiety associated with factors beyond your control.
Improved consistency: Well-defined processes help maintain consistency in quality and performance, regardless of external pressures.
Heightened creativity: A process-oriented approach encourages experimentation and innovation, leading to breakthroughs in problem-solving.
Cultivating a Process-Oriented Mindset
Adopting a process-oriented mindset is crucial for driving progress and achieving our full potential. Complacency is the enemy of growth and success. To realize meaningful advancements in our businesses, skill sets, or personal development, we must be willing to continually adapt our habits, expand our knowledge, and reframe our overall perspective.
Effective Goal-Setting Strategies
When setting goals, it's essential to focus on the process rather than just the end result. For example, instead of setting a goal to "lose 20 pounds," set a specific, actionable goal around gym visits or workouts completed in a given timeframe. This type of aim falls entirely within your control, as it focuses on the process rather than the outcome.
Tips for Setting Process-Oriented Goals
Break down large goals into smaller, manageable steps
Focus on actions you can control, such as daily habits or routines
Set specific, measurable targets for each process-related goal
Regularly assess and adjust your processes based on feedback and results
Celebrate progress and milestones along the way, not just the final outcome
Tracking Process to Improve Results
While the relationship between process and results may not always be as clear-cut as with physical exercise, embracing a mindset of continual experimentation, analysis, and adaptation is key. By shifting your attention to relentlessly refining your processes, you'll not only reduce stress and anxiety but also likely see improved results as a natural byproduct.
Embrace the Process for Profound Growth and Success
I know how easy it is to get caught up in chasing results at any cost. However, by reframing your mindset and focusing on continuous improvement of your processes, you unlock the door to profound growth, achievement, and fulfillment. Embrace the power of being process-oriented, commit to showing up each day, and trust that the results will follow. As you align your actions with your values and pursue excellence in your processes, you'll be amazed at the extraordinary success you can achieve—one purposeful step at a time.