Outcomes vs. Behaviors

Share:

Listens: 0

Habits 4 Life

Miscellaneous


The world is pretty uncontrollable. Life happens.⠀ ⠀ If you want to sell your house for a good price, you can renovate it and give it a fresh coat of paint. But you can’t control the real estate market.⠀ ⠀ If you want to play a few rounds of golf, you can buy some pricey clubs and get decked out in your dapper-est duds. But you can't control the weather.⠀ ⠀ Likewise:⠀ ⠀ You can’t make your body lose 20 pounds of fat, gain 20 pounds of muscle, heal from an injury, and/or improve your cholesterol numbers on command... or on a specific timeline.⠀ ⠀ In other words, you can’t control the outcome.⠀ ⠀ But you can control the behaviors that lead to the outcome you want.⠀ ⠀ Outcomes are WHAT you want. But outcomes don't tell you what to do.⠀ ⠀ Behaviors are HOW you'll get there. Behavior goals give you an action plan.⠀ ⠀ So instead of setting “outcome goals”, set “behavior goals”.⠀ ⠀ Here are a few examples showing the difference, just so you get the picture:⠀ ⠀ Outcome goals⠀ ⠀ Run a 5K race in 20 minutes.⠀ Bench press 200 pounds.⠀ Eat better.⠀ Behavior goals⠀ ⠀ Run for 20 minutes three times per week for the next month, gradually increasing the duration and speed.⠀ ⠀ Get coaching on bench press technique, and focus diligently on a targeted bench press training plan.⠀ ⠀ Gradually incorporate the PN Coaching habits into your daily routine, one by one.⠀ You get the idea.⠀ ⠀ Notice how all of the behavior goals are a commitment to do a specific set of actions or tasks that lead to the outcome you want.⠀ ⠀ Also, notice that:⠀ ⠀ behavior goals are things you do consistently and regularly;⠀ behavior goals are small, manageable tasks that are within your control; and⠀ behavior goals are often things that you can do right now, today or in the near future.⠀ Again: You can’t control the outcome.⠀ ⠀ But you can control the behaviors that, when done consistently, will move you in the right direction.⠀