The secret mindset of Elite Performers: Outcome-based thinking
The secret mindset of Elite Performers: Outcome-based thinking
The unexpected gift the barriers to your success deliver
Hi, it’s Clive. This post is written for those ambitious achievers who commit themselves to unreasonable results. Let's exchange what's predictable for what's possible.
Post 23 for a 30 day writing challenge.
What if you could achieve double your results in half the time?
I did precisely that by applying outcome-based thinking to the way I approached problems and goals.
With outcome-based thinking I envision and work towards specific, measurable results rather than simply solving my immediate problems.
Here are the exact 4 steps I followed:
Define the outcome, key results, and impact.
Use obstacles to create strategies.
Establish clear, actionable targets with metrics.
Find your motivation in benefits and consequences.
Reflect: What have you been struggling with for a while
Step 1: Define your outcome, key results, and impact
Focus on envisioning and working towards a specific end result rather than problem-solving.
Don’t ask yourself, "How can I reduce customer complaints?” Do set a goal like "Achieve a 95% customer satisfaction rate within six months.” Make your targets specific and measurable.
Reflect: What outcome would make the biggest difference for you right now?”
Step 2: Use obstacles to create strategies
View obstacles as opportunities, not roadblocks.
Make a list of potential obstacles and imagine you have already overcome each one. For each obstacle, ask yourself, "What strategy allowed me to overcome this?”
For instance, faced with the obstacle of a limited marketing budget, you might envision:
"We created a grassroots social media campaign instead of relying on expensive traditional advertising. This strategy turned our budget constraint into an opportunity for more authentic, direct customer engagement.”
Tackle the biggest obstacles first. Often, the strategies you develop for overcoming these major hurdles will offer solutions to other barriers too.
Reflect: What's your biggest obstacle right now, and how could you reframe it as an opportunity for an innovative strategy?
Step 3: Establish clear, actionable targets with metrics
Turn your strategies into actions by:
Breaking larger objectives into smaller tasks to goals less overwhelming.
Assigning specific metrics to each task to make progress measurable and concrete.
Setting deadlines to create urgency and help prevent procrastination.
Assigning resources, including budget, team members, and time.
This approach gives your brain a clear roadmap to follow. The detailed plan will improve your focus and increase your confidence. You'll then feel capable of achieving the outcome.
Reflect: Think about your current goal. How could you break it down into smaller, measurable tasks with specific deadlines and resources?
Step 4: Evaluate benefits and consequences
Ask yourself two crucial questions:
"What is the greatest benefit of taking these actions?"
"What is the undesirable consequence of not doing so?”
For example, the greatest benefit of improving customer satisfaction might be increased customer loyalty and business growth. The undesirable consequence of not doing so could be losing market share to competitors.
Reflect: What's the most compelling benefit you'd gain from achieving your current goal? And what's at stake if you don’t?
By weighing the positive outcomes and potential losses you’ll get a full picture of your goal's importance. This step reinforces your motivation and clarifies the importance of your goals.
Next actions
Remember, outcome-based thinking focuses on where you want to go, not just what you want to avoid. Implement these tips to set yourself up for success and let me know how you get on.
Reflect: Which of these steps will have the biggest impact on your mindset? How will you apply outcome-based thinking to your next big goal?
🚀 I work 1:1 with highly ambitious achievers on their agenda: including mindset and behaviour change, leading others in a high stakes situations, and influencing decisions with integrity. If that’s for you please get in touch.
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