Behavior vs Outcome
Life is a wild ride, full of twists, turns, and surprises. Often it operates beyond your control, where external circumstances can throw your plans off course. From selling a home to taking a leisurely walk, desired outcomes can sometimes seem elusive due to factors beyond your influence.
While you can't control the outcomes, you hold the power to shape them. That is, through your behaviors.
Consider the process of selling a home. You might list it during a seller's market, but you can't dictate when the market shifts to a buyer's favor. Similarly, planning a walk is straightforward, yet you can't control the weather. Even preparing for a good night's sleep involves factors like lifestyle adjustments, yet the precise moment of falling asleep remains elusive.
Yet, amid the uncontrollable chaos lies a profound truth. Your actions—the behaviors you consciously choose—are the ink that writes the reality of your outcomes. Behaviors consist of specific actions or routines that you repeat consistently. Although outcomes might seem distant, focusing on your behaviors gives you the leverage to steer your journey.
Remember, outcomes might be unpredictable, but behaviors are dependable. When you consistently undertake a set of actions or tasks, you set motion towards your desired outcome. What you do today and in the near future plays a pivotal role in shaping who you want to become. A single step taken today can lead to a significant outcome tomorrow. It's in the consistency of your behaviors that you'll find the roadmap to success.
Learning behaviors is an active, participatory “sport.” Start small—set a deadline for practicing one specific behavior. Commit to it. As you make progress, move on to the next behavior that aligns with your goals. Whether it's a week or a month, practicing these behaviors consistently will help you realize the power you have over shaping your desired outcomes.
Life's unpredictability doesn't diminish your ability to influence it. While you can't control the world around you, you can control your behaviors. They are the building blocks of your outcomes. Set your sights on your goals, and take intentional steps today that will pave the way for the future you envision.
Self-rate on a 1 (not at all) to 10 (completely) scale to get a sense of behaviors vs outcomes.
I know the outcome I want.
I know one behavior I’ll do this month consistently to get to my outcome.
I know one behavior I’ll do this week consistently to get to my outcome.
I know one behavior I’ll do today to get to my outcome.
