Sometimes people think that coaching is all about achieving goals, meeting milestones, and striving for the next best thing.

That’s because a lot of coach training programs emphasize the importance of using outcomes-based SMART Goals. There’s a good reason for this - SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Oriented - and it’s a fantastic framework for changing your behavior. Outcomes-based goals can be super helpful for providing structure, checking in on progress, planning for challenges and barriers, and creating accountability.

But did you know that’s a totally different type of goal you can set for yourself? They’re called process-based goals and they’re all about being present, getting curious, learning, experimenting, and experiencing, all while working towards an outcome — but remaining unattached to whether or not it happens in the way you expect it to.

While outcomes based goals tend to be:

• Destination-Focused.

• SMART Goal Framework works well.

• Often focused on one aspect of wellbeing.

In outcomes based goals, success = Achieving the outcome.

Process-based goals tend to be: 

• Journey-Focused.

• Mindfulness Framework works well.

• More focused on the whole person.

In process based goals, success = Learning along the way. There's some overlap between them - They both

• Facilitate growth

• Help develop self-awareness

• Catalyze behavior change

• Produce outcomes

Both work as great frameworks for changing your behavior. 

If you’re not seeing progress as you work towards your goals, it might be time to switch it up! If you’ve been focused on the outcome, maybe try focusing on the process. If you’ve been focused on the process, maybe try focusing on the outcome. Want to chat about it? I'm here when you're ready.

🤍 Sonja