The Process And the Outcome
Personal growth comes from a process. While the outcome is desirable, we must go through the process of change. We must confront our fears and take the risk.
We have to unveil ourselves (stop hiding behind a mask), confront our doubts and fears and deal with the What-ifs. When you prioritize the process, you give yourself permission to explore different approaches and take risks. This can lead to more innovative and creative solutions. This is another way of saying that you give yourself permission to fail and learn.
Engaging in the process allows you to experience the state of flow, where you’re fully immersed and enjoying the task at hand. This not only enhances your productivity but also brings a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. Some will say, you avoid burn-out when you are in the flow.
During my PhD program we had to write a journal at the end of every learning period. To make sure that we did not go off on our individual tangents, we had prompts for each of the sections of the journal and one of the pages with Spiritual Formation as the heading has this under that heading: “Spiritual formation is about the process of personal growth, not the result. The questions you come to ask are sometimes as important as the answers, because questions frame insights and perspective”.
Questioning is a central part of the process of change. However, the questions we ask in the process of change are sometimes as important as the result we desire so we must frame our questions with that in mind. And this is where unveiling (aka being vulnerable) is critical, accepting what you do not know and asking for help where you need it:
- Who can help me?
- Who has done this before?
- Who has succeeded at this?
Collaborative processes often lead to stronger relationships.
No matter what the process requires, we must approach change with the right attitude and ask the questions that will give us insights into the desired outcome.
The pressures of the process period can rob you of the gains. Challenges and setbacks are inevitable. When you value the process, you develop the resilience to overcome obstacles and setbacks, as you’re more focused on problem-solving and adapting rather than being discouraged by the result.
As a leadership coach, I see how frustrating people get on their leadership development journey. It’s like you think you have it and then 360 survey comes back with a different result. Remember, finding the right balance between process and result is key. My coaching aims to grow leaders authentically from who they are to the leader they desire to become. Find out how I can help you through the process to your desired result.
Schedule a free exploratory session today.
