Don’t Make the Mistake of Thinking There is Only One Future
The process vs. the outcome mindset is nearly always the first mindset type I must address with clients. Most people who seek out or who are referred to mindset and mental skills coaching do so because of an outcome they are seeking. However, focusing too much on that outcome is usually the source of what is holding them back.
When you focus too much on an outcome, you are making the mistake of thinking there is only one future. Instead, the truth is there are many versions of the future.
First, there is the future that is most likely. Second, there is the future that you prefer. Then, there are the many other different futures that are possible based on various levels of probability.
When you use a process mindset, you concede the fact that you don’t control the future, but you do control what you do in the present to impact the future. Moreover, in the present moment you make that impact by focusing on the process of making the future you prefer the most likely future.
If you can learn this lesson and then apply it to how you pursue goals, learning all the other mental skills you need to be successful becomes much easier.