Why You Shouldn’t Fixate on the Outcome

Focus on the process to gain often overlooked benefits

It takes a certain kind of courage to attempt something new, to set a goal, and work to make it real. But for better results, focus on the steps, not the destination. Caterina Trimarchi/Shutterstock

You’re starting a project or a new exercise plan, and it’s in shaky new territory for you. You feel doubt about whether you can do it, so you’re tensely doing everything you can to make sure it will turn out the way that you hope.

The stress, fear, doubt, and tension you feel likely come from an attachment to how things will turn out. For example, we want to lose weight and get fit through exercise or be brilliant at our new project and have everyone think that we’re wonderful.