Being process focused means that you focus more on the process—the steps that lead to the result—instead of focusing purely on the result.
I work with a lot of different athletes on managing sports performance anxiety, fear of failure, perfectionism, and many other mental game challenges.
At the core of all of these challenges is something known as outcome-oriented thinking.
Outcome-Oriented Thinking vs. Process Focus
Outcome-oriented thinking refers to focusing on the future and the result of your performance. Thinking about the result isn’t always bad—it’s how you think about it that can lead to feelings of fear and anxiety.
For example, if I’m going into a game thinking about how badly I want to win, I may end up trying to force a good performance. When I do that, I play stiff, I play tense, and I’m not allowing myself to play naturally and freely.
We can trace this back to that initial thought of, “I really want to play well today.”
Or maybe you think, “I can’t make any mistakes because if I do, my coach will bench me.” That fear can lead to playing it safe, playing timidly, and holding yourself back.
Both of these examples—wanting to play well and fearing mistakes—are outcome-oriented thoughts. They keep your attention in the future.
The opposite of outcome-oriented thinking is process thinking, or being process focused when you play.
Why Being Process Focused Matters
Being process focused is a fantastic mindset for athletes because wanting to play well isn’t enough—what matters is what you actually do to achieve that result.
The process includes everything that leads to your performance outcome.
Think about it this way: what outcomes do you focus on going into games? Do you think about the score, your stats, or what others will think of you? Now ask yourself: Is this outcome 100% within my control?
The answer is usually no. We can’t fully control the future or our results. But we can control the steps that lead there—that’s why being process focused is so important.
Example of Being Process Focused
Let’s take a basketball player who wants to score a lot of points. Scoring points is the outcome—it’s not something fully within their control.
Instead, they can focus on the process:
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Getting into an open position
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Calling for the ball
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Driving aggressively to the basket
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Making quick decisions
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Taking open shots
Those are all controllables—parts of the process.
So, what makes more sense: obsessing over scoring a lot of points or focusing on all the small, controllable steps that help you score? Clearly, focusing on the process leads to better play.
The Benefits of Being Process Focused
When we focus too much on outcomes, it drives fear, anxiety, perfectionism, and pressure.
But when we focus on the process, it helps us:
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Stay present and grounded in the moment
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Play more naturally and freely
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Ultimately perform better
Your performances are made up of individual moments. By giving more attention to the process—those in-the-moment controllables—you play better and get the results you want, not by forcing them, but by earning them through your focus.
How to Be More Process Focused
Let’s break this down into two main areas: preparation and performance.
1. Be Process Focused in Your Preparation
Ask yourself: what are you doing throughout the week to prepare?
Your controllables include:
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Practice habits
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Nutrition
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Mental training
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Rest and recovery
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Scouting or studying opponents
All of these actions build confidence and readiness—they’re part of the process that sets you up for success.
2. Be Process Focused During Games
During games, don’t overthink or fixate on small details. Being process focused is about staying present—keeping your attention in the here and now.
You can identify a few controllables for your performance. For a basketball player, that might include:
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Driving aggressively to the basket
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Crashing the boards
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Playing tight, aggressive defense
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Communicating with teammates
Those controllables keep your attention where it needs to be—on the process—not on the result.
Final Thoughts
Being process focused means focusing on the steps and controllables that lead to your desired result, instead of getting caught thinking too much about the outcome.
You want to be process focused both in your preparation and during your games. The best way to do that is by identifying a few key controllables that you trust will help you play your best.
If you’re interested in learning more about one-on-one mental performance coaching, click here to schedule a free introductory coaching call, or fill out the form below.
I’ve also created two online mental training courses for athletes:
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Thank you for reading and I wish you the best of success in all that you do.
