The New Year is here and that means looking back at your progress and planning for the year ahead.
At Order & Progress we’re about continued self-progress, so our compass is always set on improvement.
However, the new year does mark a good time to course correct or reset your target completely.
But instead of giving the same tired advice to set a S.M.A.R.T. goal, like most coaches will, I’m going to give you a simple strategy that will help you reach your goal faster.
It starts with understanding outcome vs process goals, and stacking both for predictable success.
Here’s how.
Setting Outcome Goals
Typically when people set goals, they start with the outcome in mind. You choose an outcome you want to reach and that becomes your goal.
Outcome goals focus on the end result or specific achievement you want to attain. These goals define success based on an external benchmark or measurable result.
An example is, “I want looser, more mobile hips for BJJ.”
This is a fine outcome goal but it’s so vague that reaching it would be hard to identify.
The SMART structure does work well with outcome goals, however. Set a specific goal that is measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound.
So a smarter outcome goal would be, “I want to sit in full lotus position within 6 months to have a more flexible and mobile guard.”
The outcome is full lotus, which means improved hip mobility for a better guard.
But where most people fail is the process. They don’t set the processes for achieving the outcome.
Setting Process Goals
Process goals focus on the actions, habits, or strategies you need to perform to achieve a desired result. These goals emphasize the journey rather than the destination.
When you tie your process goals to your outcome goal, you decrease the chance of losing motivation by enjoying the process instead of only the result.
Process goals are often smaller, more attainable goals that you achieve regularly that build momentum toward the big outcome goal.
An example is, “I will do 10 minutes of hip mobility work every morning.”
After 6 months of this, you will have built the habit of morning mobility to reach your goal of full lotus.
You can also have multiple process goals that are tied to your outcome goal, like 10 minutes of morning mobility and 2 yoga classes per week.
Process goals also afford you the ability to miss every once in a while without sacrificing your long-term outcome goal. If you miss one mobility session a week, you can still reach your goal.
It’s the repeated habit of doing hip mobility work that will get you to full lotus.
Key Points For Reaching Goals
The most important factor in reaching your goals is setting one in the first place. Many of us have subconscious or general goals in our minds, but science has repeatedly proven that setting a specific goal will greatly increase your chance of reaching it.
So maybe you have a general goal of competing in 2025. Set the specific outcome goal you want first, like competing in the 2025 IBJJF Master Worlds, then set the process goals you will need to achieve that.
The second most important factor is consistency. Goals are not achieved without work.
That’s why the process goals are so important. They set the groundwork for consistency in reaching your outcome goal.
The last important factor in reaching your goal is tracking.
Make your outcome and process goals visible somewhere in your space that keep them top of mind. Then, each week, review your process goals and track how many times you completed them.
Tracking your goals is key to maintaining consistency.
Final Thoughts
Focusing on processes as opposed to outcomes will make reaching any goal more enjoyable.
As we always say in jiu-jitsu, the reward is not the black belt, but who you become on your way there.
The new year presents a time to analyze our progress from the previous year, but also to set new outcome goals for the year ahead.
But it’s the process goals that will forge the person you are trying to become or develop the skill you are looking to master.
The combination of process and outcome goals are your foolproof way of reaching whatever goals you have in 2025.
Consistent effort and regular tracking will get you there.
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