Focus on effort over outcome to achieve results

- Outcomes can be beyond our control, but effort is in our hands. It's easy to become fixated on the end result, but dedication, work, and perseverance pave the way to achievement. Research tells us acknowledging hard work, strategies, and processes leads to greater motivation and resilience, especially when facing new challenges. And focusing on effort is a core component of a growth mindset, which champions progress and learning as well as achieving goals. Imagine you are working on a project. Of course, the outcome is important, but the hours of research, brainstorming, and trial and error are also crucial parts of the process. And by focusing on the efforts you put into a project, you are not pinning all your self-esteem and success on one moment when you complete the project. Rather, you are basing your confidence and perceived success on the steps you took to reach your end goal. This means, even if you don't achieve what you set out to, you will still have reasons to be proud and opportunities to learn and grow based on your efforts. Your efforts builds skills, knowledge, and ultimately, your potential capacity to succeed in the future as you learn. Focusing on efforts also helps create a culture of continuous improvement in the workplace. So how can we make this shift in focus? Here are some actions to try. Set effort-based goals. Instead of, "I will finish the report in two days," try, "I will put in two hours of focused work on this report today." This way, you are valuing the input, which is within your control. Make a point of celebrating small wins along the way. Every piece of effort is a step closer to your desired outcome. Recognizing these moments can boost your mood and motivation and encourage persistence. Encourage learning from setbacks. Instead of viewing a failed attempt as a negative outcome, see it as a vital part of the learning process, like we've talked about, each effort provides valuable feedback and a chance to refine your approach. Seek feedback. Regularly ask for inputs on your efforts, not just your outcomes. Think of focusing on effort as investing in your personal growth bank. The more you put in, the more developmental interest you'll earn long term.