Posted: Tuesday, May 4th, 2021

Outcome change

While working with clients, I regularly hear them list things they would like to change in their lives. These changes can relate to challenges in their personal or professional lives. Usually, the focus of these initial conversations is on the outcome they want. This level of change is primarily concerned with changing their results: complete the website, increase the turnover, lose 10kg or win the league.

With most people seeking change, this is usually where they start.

Process change

However, to change these results, clients always need to engage in a new process if they are to expect change. Some small, 1% process change, needs to start because “if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten”. This level of change is primarily concerned with changing your habits and systems. For example, implementing a new system of communicating with your team, planning your day more effectively or exercising for 40 minutes five times per week.

Most of the habits you build are associated with this level of change.

Identity change

The third and deepest layer of change is changing one’s identity. This level of change is concerned with changing one’s world view and includes your self-image and your judgements about yourself and others.

Most of the assumptions, beliefs, and biases you hold about yourself, are associated with this level of change.

  • Outcome change is about your results.
  • Processes change is about what you do.
  • Identity change is about what you believe.

Change your initial focus

Every person, team or company wants better results. However, the questions we should always ask ourselves is “what do we need to become, in order to achieve those results?”

Most people begin the process of changing their habits and focusing on what they want to achieve. This leads to outcome-based habits. The alternative approach and the one that will help sustain change is to build identity-based habits. With this approach you start by focusing on who you wish or need to become.

The focus of change here is subtle, but the results can be significant.

So, rather than looking outwards and focusing on the end results that you want to achieve, look inwards and ask yourself the hard questions “what do I need to become in order to achieve that goal, and what process do I need to engage in to achieve that goal?”

If you are looking to change your results and would like to discuss how coaching would help you why don’t you give me a call and we can discuss your particular challenge.