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Process vs Outcome (Focus on actual tasks…not the outcome)


Neville

Process Vs Outcome Goals

Whenever I make an "Outcome" goal, I usually fail.

Whenever I make a "Process" goal, I usually succeed.

It's because a "Process" goal prescribes a set of things to do, that will help you reach your goal. An "Outcome" goal tends to rely on hope and bravado which is only marginally helpful.

 

"Outcome" Goal 

Hoping and praying something happensOutcome Goals

 

"Process" Goal 

Taking specific steps that will hit the goal

process-goals.png

 

Here's 5 quickie examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope this helps you make better goals :)

Sincerely,

Neville Medhora

triple-threat-neville.png

 

P.S. If you post your goal in the comments, we will try to make you a "Process" goal out of it :)


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Guest Jordan

Posted

Super helpful way to look at it. My goal is to make full time copywriter at the agency I work at (just started as Jr. Copywriter a few months ago).
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Guest Neville Medhora

Posted

Hey Jordan that's awesome!

I think a good "Process" goal would be:

"Over the next 6-12 months I will ask my boss how I can improve so they hire me full time, I will independently write and publish 1 amazing article per month on my own, and I will over-deliver on my job without expectation of return...only pride in the quality of my work."
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Guest Chintan Zalani

Posted

This is a great reminder, Neville. I've been drifting off with outcome-oriented goals and hence, run out of steam soon. I recently decided to target 100,000 visitors/month for my website. However, that's not in my control entirely. I realize it should rather come back to writing 2 articles a week and promoting them :) Does that make sense?
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Guest Shreya

Posted

Such an important piece of advice put so simply! Loved those graphics.

With time, I'm beginning to realize the importance of setting up processes. This's helping me achieve my goals easily. For example, instead of thinking of wondering how to be a great dancer, I actually enrolled for intensive training of 6 hours per day. Likewise, instead of aiming to launch my lettering course and selling it to a 1000 people, I've simply started putting out one artwork on my social media channels every day.

However, it's easy to forget this simple advice and question the process. Thanks for this!

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Guest Debora Paiva

Posted

Hi Neville

Thanks for this practical advice! I have been trying to produce content to my Portuguese lessons program aiming to be a reference for studying Brazilian Portuguese online. I have an Instagram and a You tube channel, but my lack of consistency producing content it is a barrier to see grow. I would appreciate your advice. Thanks, Debora

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Guest Rohan Bhardwaj

Posted

My goal is to earn $100 from my blog. And have at least 100 post of around 1000 words each - that's my process. Is there anything better I should do?
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Guest Manisha Patel

Posted

Love this process goal method! I also like this quote from Nick Saban.

“We’re not going to talk about what we’re going to accomplish. We’re going to talk about how we’re going to do it.”

– Saban talking about his process during his introductory press conference in 2006.

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Guest David

Posted

I do organizational development and what you described is the difference between Vision & Mission (something so horribly understood by orgs).

The VISION is what happens IF everything you are doing (MISSION) works!

MISSION is only powerful when there is compelling VISION.

The more compelling your VISION the greater the likelihood people will help you in your MISSION.

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Guest Shivbhadrasinh Gohil

Posted

Thank you so much for sharing this.

Yes, it's very easy to get distracted just focusing on the Outcome Goal and not on the Process Goal.

The Process Goal helps you break down the Goal in smaller parts which are easy to do and increases the chances to achieve the Outcome Goal.

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Create a series of 10 individual “Quick Tips”  to be used on website, emails blasts ,social, youtube etc.
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Guest Luba

Posted

Hi Neville,

Thank you so much for your content!

My goal is to sneak my way into the copywriting world and begin gaining skills before anyone finds out about my lack of experience! :)

Basically, I love writing and have been published on the internet, but I would prefer to learn and be paid to do copywriting instead. What process would you recommend for a complete beginner?

Thanks a lot!

Luba

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Guest Sinethemba

Posted

My goal is to get 5 new clients for my agency in the next 6 months. I've just registered the company. And I am testing everything. Thank you.
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Guest Kuldeep

Posted

Hi Neville...

This is a really nice mindset.... Thanks for showing us the way when we think all the ways are closed.

My current outcome goal is to earn $1000 as a freelance copywriter from India ( That is where I live ).

I have already joined copywriting groups on fb, read books like cashvertising and the copywriter's handbook. Can you suggest some other ways??

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Guest Ifeoma

Posted

Thanks Neville

My Goal is to put out original content on marketing and career advice, and to start earning money from my articles.

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Guest Vrushal

Posted

Thank you for this amazing piece again. I read about processes in Atomic Habits, this article just made the concept fresh and clear in my mind.

Thank you

Well, my goal is to get hired in a SaaS startup.

Cheers!

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Guest Petra

Posted

Great article.

My goal is to clinch my first copywriting gig once my website and (theoretical) portfolio is completed.

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Guest Aditi

Posted

Thanks so much for the article, Neville!

My goal is pass school.

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Guest Ennio

Posted

I would like to make a living with ecommerce and running ads selling the karate books of my father in diffrent countrys. Thank you already Neville :)
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Guest Dibakar Bala

Posted

Excellent Article Nev. I am currently committed to the Process of Creating atleast 1 form of content (written/audio/video/graphics) per day and I post them across every social media.
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Guest Neville Medhora

Posted

Oh nice D! That will be great practice.

I think what might be even MORE useful is creating just 2 AMAZING pieces per month, which you can then break up into tons of individual posts.

I would strongly recommend you read this:

https://copywritingcourse.com/blog-content-strategy/

Having a BIG post, and then funneling social traffic back to it creates a "machine."

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I agree with this article completely!  I had a goal of getting in the best shape of my life. The problem was that it was really hard to quantify. I had outcome goals such as bench press so much, run a mile in this much time, reduce body fat to this percentage, etc. Once, I switched my goal of getting in shape to the process, I'm really getting to where I want to be. My process goal is extremely simple, and it is now the only goal I have in regards to fitness. My goal is that I just do my set fitness routine every day. That's it.
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Guest Ezebra

Posted

Hi Neville,

Thank you for this post. I really needed to read it. I am building an online store and a blog, but I am jumping from one thing to another and am not completing anything. I'll write down individual tasks and I think I might be finishing more.

P.S. you are one of the few people, whose newsletter I always read.

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Guest Elizabeth Linnea Young

Posted

Get 10 paying clients for my granting writing business (1 currently, 3 signed up but not yet paid, 2 meeting with prospects this Friday)
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