Process Over Outcome: Trust the Journey

Imagine you're standing on the shore of a peaceful lake, eyeing the opposite side, ready to swim across. You dive in, but your focus is locked on the distant shore. Your head stays above water, constantly spotting the destination. Your breathing becomes labored, your strokes are clumsy, and every movement feels difficult.

Now, picture this: before diving in, you spot the other side, set your direction, and then focus on your strokes and breath —smooth, steady, rhythmic. Every so often, you lift your head to check your progress, then return to swimming. You reach the other side more efficiently, with less struggle, and feeling energized instead of exhausted.

The difference? In the first scenario, you were fixated on the outcome. In the second, you trusted the process.

When you focus solely on the outcome, you become hyper-aware of how far you still have to go, often leading to self-judgment and burnout. But when you shift your attention to the process—the small, consistent actions—you create space for growth, learning, and lasting success.  Focusing on the process allows you to: make real-time adjustments based on feedback which removes judgment so you can focus on progress, not perfection, and achieve your goals more efficiently and with less stress.

This principle isn’t just for swimming across a lake—it applies to every health and wellness goal.

• Weight Loss: Instead of obsessing over the number on the scale, focus on daily habits—what you're eating, how you're sleeping, how often you’re moving, and how you’re managing stress. The weight loss will naturally follow.

• Fitness Goals: Training for a race? The goal might be to cross the finish line, but the real success comes from the daily practice—consistent movement, balanced training, and proper recovery—that gets you there feeling strong and empowered.

As a Health and Wellness Coach, I guide my clients to focus on the process. It’s about consistent practice, not perfection. When you commit to doing the “right things” regularly, the outcome you desire will follow—often faster and in a more sustainable way than you expected.

So, what’s your goal? Let’s create a process that works for you and helps you not just reach the finish line but feel strong, healthy, and empowered along the way.

Lida Johnson, Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Nutritionist, Personal Trainer, and Pre-Diabetes Lifestyle Coach   www.HeadToToeCoaching.com or [email protected]  203.260.2880.