Outcome Goals vs Process Goals: Which Should You Set?

"Lose twenty pounds." "Read the whole Bible this year." "Get promoted." These are outcome goals. They describe a result you want. They are inspiring, easy to understand and easy to celebrate when you reach them.

"Walk four days a week." "Read three chapters every morning." "Finish one skill course each month." These are process goals. They describe what you will actually do, regardless of the result.

Both kinds have a place. The trouble comes when we set only one kind and expect it to do everything. This post compares the two and shows you how to pair them.

Two kinds of goals

An outcome goal names a destination. It answers the question, "What do I want to be true when this is done?" Examples: run a 5K, save for a family trip, publish a short book, find a new job.

A process goal names a repeated action. It answers the question, "What will I do, on a regular basis, that moves me toward the destination?" Examples: run three times a week, set aside a fixed amount each payday, write 300 words every weekday, send two job applications every week.

The simplest way to tell them apart: you can check off a process goal today. An outcome goal usually takes weeks or months.

Where outcome goals help, and where they hurt

Outcome goals are good at giving direction. They answer why you are bothering at all. They make it easier to say no to distractions and easier to rally support. "We're saving for a trip to see Grandma" is more motivating than "we're spending less."

They have weaknesses too:

• Results are partly outside your control. You can apply for jobs faithfully and still wait months for the right one. Health, the economy and other people's decisions all play a role.
• Long gaps without feedback. If your goal is to lose twenty pounds, most days do not show visible progress, which can feel discouraging.
• All or nothing thinking. Falling short of an outcome can feel like total failure, even when you grew enormously along the way.

Where process goals help, and where they hurt

Process goals are good at building momentum. They give you something to do today and a way to feel successful this week. They also build habits, which outlast any single goal.

Their weaknesses are the mirror image:

• They can lose meaning. Walking four days a week can start to feel like a chore if you forget why you started.
• They can drift off course. Without a destination, it is easy to keep doing an action long after it stopped helping.
• They can become box checking. You can technically do the process while missing the point, such as reading three chapters without paying attention.

Pair them: one outcome, two processes

The most reliable approach for many people is a simple pairing: one outcome goal that gives direction, with one or two process goals that make it doable. Here is an exercise to build your pair in about fifteen minutes.

1. Write one outcome goal you care about. If you are not sure it is truly yours, test it with the why ladder first.
2. Ask, "What would someone who reaches this goal do every week?" List five to ten possible actions.
3. Circle the two that are most within your control and most likely to make a difference.
4. Make each one specific. Include how often, how long and when. "Walk 30 minutes on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings."
5. Decide how you will track them. A check mark on a paper calendar is plenty.
6. Set a review date. In four weeks, look at whether the processes are moving you toward the outcome. If not, adjust the process, not your worth.

A few pairings to borrow

These illustrations show the pattern:

• Outcome: Feel confident leading a small group by spring. Processes: Read the lesson twice before each meeting; practice opening questions out loud once a week.
• Outcome: Pay off one credit card. Processes: Review spending every Sunday evening; move a set amount toward the card every payday. (For bigger financial decisions, talk with a qualified financial professional.)
• Outcome: Have a calmer home in the mornings. Processes: Lay out clothes and pack bags the night before; leave five minutes earlier than needed.
• Outcome: Finish writing a family history. Processes: Write for 20 minutes every Tuesday and Thursday; interview one relative a month.

Which should you focus on day to day?

Set your outcome goal, write it down, then focus most of your daily attention on the process. Check your outcome monthly, not daily. That rhythm gives you the direction of an outcome goal and the steady encouragement of a process goal.

If you are deciding which area of life deserves a goal right now, the life balance wheel is a quick way to find out.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between outcome goals and process goals?

An outcome goal describes a result you want, such as running a 5K. A process goal describes a repeated action you control, such as running three mornings a week.

Are process goals better than outcome goals?

Neither is better on its own. Outcome goals give direction and process goals create daily momentum, so pairing one outcome with one or two process goals tends to work well.

What should I do if I keep my process goals but miss the outcome?

Review whether the process is the right one and whether factors outside your control played a role. Adjust the process, celebrate the consistency you built and keep going.