If you’ve been coaching long enough, you’ve probably seen it happen: talented athletes underperforming–not because they lack skill or effort—but because they’re too fixated on the end result.
The pressure to achieve that big win or hit that personal best can be overwhelming, and it often leads to frustration when things don’t go as planned.
The solution?
Shift the focus from the outcome to the process.
When athletes concentrate on what they can do today, right now, to get better, the pressure eases, and they start to see real progress.
In this post, I’ll share why the process matters more than the outcome, how to develop a process that actually works, and how this approach can help you become a more effective coach. There’s also a worksheet that I created for you so you can start using this coaching strategy with your clients and athletes.
The Outcome vs. The Process: Understanding the Difference
Outcome Goals: The Big Picture
We all know outcome goals—the big, shiny targets that everyone wants to hit. Whether it’s winning a championship, setting a new personal record, or achieving a specific score, these goals are what get athletes out of bed in the morning. But here’s the catch: they can also be paralyzing. The bigger the goal, the more daunting it feels, and that can lead to anxiety and inconsistency.
Process Goals: The Daily Grind
Process goals, on the other hand, are all about the grind. They’re the small, daily actions that move athletes closer to their big goals. Unlike outcome goals, process goals are controllable. They’re the things athletes can focus on every day without getting overwhelmed. And when you focus on the process, the results tend to take care of themselves.
The Root and the Fruit Analogy
Breaking Down the Analogy
Think of your goals like a tree. The fruit represents the outcome—what everyone sees and what everyone wants. But the tree doesn’t produce fruit without strong roots, right? The roots represent the process, the daily work that’s not glamorous but absolutely essential. If the roots aren’t solid, the fruit won’t be either.
Applying It in Coaching
This analogy isn’t just a metaphor; it’s a practical tool I use with athletes to help them break down their goals. Start by identifying the outcome goals—the fruit. Then, work backward to figure out the daily actions—the roots—that will help achieve those goals. It’s not about making the goals smaller; it’s about making them more manageable by focusing on what you can do today.
Athletes often get caught up in the outcome, and that can be overwhelming. By asking, “What can you do today to move closer to your goal?” you help them focus on the process, not just the end result. This approach makes the big goals feel less intimidating and more achievable.
Why Trusting the Process is Essential
Building a Process That Works
Here’s the thing: It’s easy to tell athletes to “trust the process,” but if that process isn’t solid, it’s just empty words. A good process is reliable and tailored to the athlete’s needs. When athletes see that following the process actually leads to improvement, they start to buy in. That trust isn’t just important—it’s everything.
Avoiding Empty Promises
Athletes can spot empty promises a mile away. If you’re just talking about the process without giving them something concrete to follow, they’ll tune out. They want to see results, and that comes from having a process they can count on. That’s why it’s crucial to develop a process that’s practical, repeatable, and effective.
Most athletes are driven by outcome goals, but without a process to support those goals, they’re just spinning their wheels. A simple but powerful question to ask them is, “What are you doing today to set yourself up for success tomorrow?” This helps shift their focus to the controllable actions that lead to real progress.
Implementing the Process-Over-Outcome Approach
Using Tools to Break Down Goals
One of the best ways to help athletes focus on the process is through a worksheet that breaks down their big goals into daily actions. To make your life easier, I created one that you can download and use with your clients and athletes.
Here’s how to use it:
- Identify the Big Goal: Start by getting your athletes to articulate what they want to achieve.
- Break It Down: Work with them to figure out what they need to do daily or weekly to move closer to that goal.
- Focus on What They Can Control: Make sure the actions they commit to are things they can control—no more worrying about things outside their influence.
- Check-In Regularly: Keep revisiting and adjusting the plan as needed to stay on track.
Practical Coaching Tips
- Daily Habits: Encourage your athletes to build daily habits that support their goals.
- Regular Check-Ins: Touch base regularly to see how they’re doing with their process goals.
- Accountability: Hold them accountable, but also remind them why the process matters.
By helping athletes identify their outcome goals and then reverse engineering those goals into daily actions, you make the journey less intimidating and more achievable. The more they focus on what they can control, the more likely they are to succeed.
The Benefits of a Process-Driven Approach
Consistency Leads to Success
When athletes focus on the process, they become more consistent in their efforts. This consistency builds confidence and leads to better performance over time. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress. And when athletes see that progress, they’re more motivated to keep going.
Building Stronger Relationships
A process-driven approach also strengthens the relationship between coach and athlete. When you work together to create and follow a process, you build trust. And trust is the foundation of any successful coaching relationship. When athletes know you’re in the trenches with them, they’re more likely to buy in and give their best effort.
Trust isn’t built by talking about outcome goals—it’s built by working together to plant the roots that will eventually produce the results. A focus on the process not only leads to success but also deepens the bond between coach and athlete.
Key Takeaways
Focusing on the process rather than the outcome is a game-changer for both coaches and athletes. It’s about taking control of what you can do today, right now, to get better.
When athletes shift their focus to daily, controllable actions, the results follow.
As a coach, your job is to help them build a process they can trust and stick with it, day in and day out.
I encourage you to download the worksheet provided and start using these strategies with your athletes.
Take a moment to reflect on your current coaching approach and think about how you can make the process the centerpiece of your coaching philosophy. By doing so, you’ll not only help your athletes achieve their goals but also build a stronger, more trusting relationship with them.
By focusing on the process, you’re not just setting your athletes up for success—you’re helping them build a foundation that will serve them for life. Let’s get to work.
Ready to take your mental game to the next level?
I created a FREE 3-Day mini course—one specific for athletes and the other for coaches. All you have to do is complete the form below so I know how to share it with you.
