Stop Obsessing Over Results: The Process Focus That Guarantees Success

In a world obsessed with outcomes — the medals, promotions, or sales numbers — it’s easy to forget what truly drives success: the process. Ben Hunt-Davis’s Will It Make the Boat Go Faster? challenges us to shift our gaze from results to the controllable steps that lead there.

Focusing on process means concentrating on technique, effort, preparation, and mindset — the variables you can influence directly. This approach reduces anxiety because you’re not fixated on uncertain outcomes but on consistent actions.

Experimentation plays a crucial role here. Trying new methods, learning from mistakes, and adapting continuously fosters growth. One rowing team used detailed performance data to tweak their strokes, turning trial and error into a powerful engine of improvement.

By embracing process focus, you build resilience and confidence. Setbacks become learning opportunities rather than failures. This mindset transforms pressure into performance.

For anyone struggling with stress or inconsistency, adopting a process-oriented approach can be transformative. It’s about mastering the art of deliberate practice and feedback.

As you internalize this, you’ll notice momentum building — a topic we’ll explore next — where small, steady improvements compound into remarkable progress.