Have you been getting the results you want?
If not, I bet you’re frustrated. Believe me, I know all about it.
This is especially true when you’re brand new to something.
The same people who inspire you are the same ones who can discourage you. You want to produce their results but always fall short. Sometimes by a mile, other times by a hundred.
Eventually, you throw up our hands and try something else. People often gravitate toward quicker results and that’s okay, but not always.
If you want to be healthier, should you quit if you can’t run a mile without resting within the first month? No, you shouldn’t.
If you want to be wealthier, should you quit if you can’t pay off your debt in less than a year? Absolutely not.
If you want to become a better parent, should you give up if you’re having a hard time? Of course not.
Sometimes, you need to stick to something until you become better at it.
Process Over Outcome
Let’s talk about process over outcome.
It’s the idea of focusing on the process instead of its results. This is how every artist learns their craft — at least when they get serious about it.
The point isn’t to create something great. It’s to learn and improve a specific part of the process.
For example, many skillful artists who specialize in realism drawing/sketches, start by learning how to draw lines and shapes.
Basketball players often learn how to dribble before they learn how to shoot.
Piano players learn to play a song using only three of the black keys before anything.
Process over outcome leads to higher skill levels
When I started solo podcasting, I had no clue what I was doing. My goal was to get 10 solo episodes published. Of course I wanted them to be the best I could produce, but they could never be more than the level I was at.
Your best results are a proper representation of your skill level.
Being upfront and real about that with myself was crucial. I was curious to know if I like the process enough to keep repeating it. If I didn’t like it, I’d find another way to express ideas worth thinking about.
And even now, I’m exploring an interview format. My goal is to publish 10 interviews. After that, I’ll know if I want to keep doing it or not.
I bet if you were to reflect on anything you do with ease, you’ll find the same thing to be true:
Process over outcome leads to higher skill levels.
Repeating a process over and over again can create borderline perfection. Things get easier and intuitive. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of all the intricacies related to the process.
If you’re not getting the results you want, focus on your process, not your outcome. Believe me, you’ll get there.
Note: This is one of the things my featured guest, Coach Ambrose talked about in the upcoming podcast episode. It publishes on Tuesday.
Use It or Lose It
Where do you feel like you’re failing? What do you wish you could master?
Challenge yourself to focus and improve only one part of the process. Choose something elementary. Fundamentals are like lego blocks, they each build upon one another.
Let me know what you discover.
What I’m Watching
People really dislike grief, but not Andrew Garfield. Here’s how he sees it:
Grief is unexpressed love.
What a profound alternative to how most people understand grievance. I like it.
Behind The Scenes
People in countries I’ve never been to listen to Enemy Within You. I find it amazing.
Here’s a heat map of the places where people have listened:
You can see a higher resolution of the heatmap here.
Thanks for reading this week.
Luis