#1 Goal Setting Mistake

Most new runners decide to focus on outcome goals over process goals. I disagree!

An outcome goal is a specific result that is largely out of your control, like winning a race or making it to the podium for your age group.  While outcome goals are flashy and fun to share, they often lead to frustration and anxiety because of the lack of control.

Here are a few examples of spoiled outcome goals:

• Run a personal best at my next trail 10K – downpouring rain, terrible trail conditions

• Get a personal record at the Peachtree Road Race – stayed up all night with a sick kid the night before

• Finish on the podium at my next 5K – 3 former olympic runners register for the same race

You can perform at your very best and still not achieve your outcome goal.

It’s easy to become discouraged after failing to accomplish an outcome goal.  You can feel like all your training time was wasted.  Self-worth and satisfaction become heavily dependent on that specific result, overshadowing the progress, effort, and growth you have made throughout the training block.

Outcome goals are also often fixed and rigid, leaving little room for adjustments based on uncontrollable circumstances.

Stay in control!  Focus instead on process goals.

Process goals are a controlled set of actionable behaviors that put you in the best position to achieve an outcome goal. A few examples of a runner’s process goals:

• Never miss 2 days in a row of training.

• Improve endurance by incorporating one long run each week, starting with a distance of 2 miles and gradually increasing by 0.5 miles every two weeks.

• Go to bed early and wake up at the same time everyday while maintaining a balanced diet for the duration of the training plan.

You will begin to see that following the process is more rewarding than chasing the outcome.

The habits you develop in tandem with your process goals will continue to strengthen you over time…while an outcome goal is merely a snapshot in time of your progress (with uncontrolled variables).

Process goals > outcome goals by providing:

• Increased motivation:  momentum of small wins and tangible progress

• Improved consistency: creation of habits and discipline

• Reduced pressure and anxiety: enjoy the process, take pride in the effort vs outcome

• Long term development: sustained improvement over time

What process goals have you set?  Where are you headed next?  Go Far!