While traveling to visit family during the holidays, I was reminded of a convenience that I often take for granted.
Rarely do I stop and think too much about driving to my intended destination with today’s technology. With a few simple clicks on my smartphone, I’m provided a detailed and mapped-out plan. Not only does utilizing my GPS prevent the stress of figuring out how to get to where I’m going, it also gives me options – the quickest route, the most scenic route, or even the route that just so happens to go right by my favorite coffee shop.
As long as we plug in our destination, we have a better chance at avoiding the stress of reading maps, asking for directions, or wrong turns along the way. We simply just follow the plan set before us.
As a health coach who spends most of my days helping others set, work toward, and eventually meet their wellness goals, I couldn’t ignore the similarities of needing a mapped-out plan to reach both a location destination and a health destination.
Achieving long-term goals without knowing how you are going to get there presents challenges, obstacles, and barriers much like the stops, missed turns, or roadblocks that show up when traveling without a plan. This is where the concept and implementation of process versus outcome goals can help achieve our health and wellness aspirations.
As we start out the new year, we’re likely focused on exciting (and sometimes, lofty) goals to improve aspects of our health. These big, thrilling, and long-term goals are the outcome or what we want to achieve.
An outcome goal should be something that motivates you, makes you excited, is specific, and is measurable. It should be the finish line and the ultimate benchmark in your health journey that signals you have reached your destination. A few examples could include:
1. Have a closer relationship with the Lord
2. Lose X amount of weight or X amount of inches from waist circumference
3. Run a 5K
4. Lower blood sugar and blood pressure to optimal levels
5. Reduce LDL cholesterol to optimal levels
6. Sleep 8 hours per night
1. Spend X amount of devotion time with the Lord each day
2. Perform a full body strength training workout at least 2 times per week
3. Go for a 30-minute jog 3 days per week & log each workout completed on a calendar to monitor success and adherence
4. Adhere to a plant-forward dietary approach by eating 5-6 servings of vegetables each day
5. Limit saturated fat food sources to 1-2x/week (i.e. cheese & red meats)
6. Establish a bedtime routine with a set “lights out” time each night
I encourage you to take a look at your health journey. Are you ready to plug that destination into the GPS to get started in the right direction? Do you have the proper tools set in place to ensure success as you embark on your journey toward better health? Do you have your final destination in mind as well as the roads you will need to take to get there?
If you are not sure where to start, take some time to think through and pray about your intended outcome goals and then break down those daily lifestyle choices you can make that will help you get one step closer to that outcome!
Ensure your journey is a success before you even take the first step by marking both process and outcome goals onto your wellness roadmap and if you are a Medi-Share Health Partner, be sure to utilize our health coaches to guide and encourage you along the way.