Process Trumps Result

Do not put the result ahead of the process.

Colin McGomerie coached the Europeans for the Ryder cup. He says the preparation process is not important, only winning is important. I disagree.

Sure we all want to win, but winning isn’t everything. If it were, the Europeans could play me and my buddies at golf and they would easily win. I seriously doubt if winning under this circumstance would be fun for Colin’s team.

Aside from that by focusing on the result, you place unnecessary stress on the individual players. They should be focus on preparation, the process of playing, not the result of winning. The players can not control the winning; hence any focus on winning is inherently frustrating. The players can however control their preparation process, and this is where the focus should be.

The process trumps the result for success. In golf for example, you should focus on your pre-putting technique, not making the putt. You should focus on such items, as alignment, the terrain, proper stance and the tempo of your swing. It is the process that takes the stress out of the result.

In school for example, you can not effectively study for a test thinking about the fact that you need and A to pass the course. You should focus on the process of studying, reviewing your notes, doing the sample problems again and reviewing the course material with a friend. If you don’t have a study process, then get one. The process takes the stress out of the result and puts the energy into working the process. You should develop a process that works for you, then implement that process. When the game is on the line, a process is a valuable tool.

Do not misunderstand me. Of course, the goal is to make the putt or to pass the course, but the issue is how to face those mountains between you and the goal without falling off a cliff. If you can get an A on a test when the test does not matter, or drive a golf ball straight on a driving range, then you have the requisite skills to master those two activities when the game or the test is on the line.

Have you ever heard these types of comments? I knew the answers to the questions, but could not remember them during the test. I swing perfectly on the driving range, but I swing terribly the minute I start to play the real game. These are examples of stress related errors. When we do out best, our mind is at rest.

Here is another example. Yesterday, I purchased an unassembled leather chair, the one I am sitting on right now. I opened the large box to find a multitude of parts and numerous screws of various lengths. It was daunting to say the least. I could not see how a chair was going to come from all these parts, particularly one, which would hold me up and also look like the fine leather chair pictured on the outside of the box. I did not have to focus on the result, I only had to focus on step one. I did not have to focus on all the parts just the ones needed for step one. Sure enough a dozen or so steps later, by focusing on the process, I had achieved the result, which was a finished chair.

What is the point? Develop a process for what you are trying to do. Focus on the process. This focus will eliminate anxiety and the result will come.

It works. You know it does.