In 2013 Becky and I did a 1000-mile tour around the perimeter of Florida.
Well, 1000 miles was the goal. Before we finished there was a slight Bump In The Road in the form of a nasty infection that landed me in the hospital for a few days and ended the tour. I tried to claim I was Attacked By A Skunk-Ape but it was really just one of those things that happens.
At the time, not completing 1000 miles seemed like a big deal. Funny…when I look back at that trip, I don’t think of failure or not-finishing. I remember meeting great people, riding through amazing, varied surroundings, and an overall sense of incredible gratitude. I vividly recall very cool speaking venues, but I don’t remember much about the hospital stay or the number of miles by which we fell short of the goal.
Apparently the outcome wasn’t all that important.
Turns out that’s a general principle. We get all focused on the final result as though it’s the only thing that matters. It’s not.
Many results would be okay, and some might be better than the one we planned. I’m always sure, before I begin, of the best possible result. In hindsight I often see God revealing and guiding me toward a much more satisfying long-term path.
We mostly don’t control the result. Weather, accidents, others’ actions, health (random infections), skunk-ape attacks – all sorts of beyond-our-control factors shape the outcome.
Focusing on results might actually decrease long-term success. Chasing short-term results often results in shortcuts and compromises. To got to the goal, people violate deeply-held principles and beliefs or rationalize harmful, end-justifies-means actions they normally wouldn’t consider.
If it’s a high-stakes situation, if the result really matters, the best way is to take the steps most likely to achieve it. In other words, it’s best to focus on a proper process, which is something we can control.
When you do your best, without stepping over lines you’ll later regret crossing, you give yourself the best chance for both short- and long-term success.
A specific short-term result simply may not be possible right now, or it may not align with your values, beliefs, and vision of long-term success.
That short-term result may not be the real goal.