At the start of a new journey, we usually have an idea where we want to go.
Our vision might change over time, but a general bearing helps to set our direction & set off on the right path.
Because we have at least a vague sense of where we’re headed, we also have a decent idea what steps to take in order to get there.
These are the two fundamental forces which guide our behaviour: process and outcomes.
The outcome is our intention. The process is our system for getting there.
But here’s the thing:
Even if we don’t realise it, we often value one of these over the other.
We might imagine that we’re committed to both following a given path and reaching our intended destination…
But when it comes down to it, what do we care about more?
For some, due process is all that matters. It’s more important to do the right things in all circumstances – even if it doesn’t get us to our destination.
For some, the outcome is all that matters.
It’s more important to achieve the objective than to stick blindly to a specific process… even if that means we need to cut corners or switch up our approach from time to time.
No journey begins with perfect information. Our perspective is limited.
To counter this, we bridge the gap between what we know and what we need to get started with assumptions, generalisations, guesses and simple best practice.
This holds true for both the path we’ll travel and where we want to end up. We only get clear on these things over time.
Put another way: how it starts is usually a long, long way from where it ends.
At the outset, you can commit to the process. Or you can commit to the results. But you can’t commit to both.
Get clear on what matters more in your situation. Keep that as your intention, and let the other factor evolve as it needs to.
Set the hardline parameters you won’t cross, sure. But if your ultimate success will be judged by adherence to a process – or achievement of an outcome – be open to changing everything else in pursuit of that.