When it comes to basketball—or anything in life—it’s easy to become outcome-driven. We set goals like winning the next game, scoring a certain number of points, or even earning a specific accolade. While goals are important, an outcome-focused mindset can lead to shortcuts, frustration, or missed opportunities along the way.
Here’s the key: When you focus solely on the outcome, you miss the value of the journey.
Being process-driven shifts your mindset. Instead of chasing results, you commit to the steps required to achieve them. When you focus on the process—like perfecting your footwork, making the right pass, or executing your team’s principles—success becomes a natural byproduct.
Here’s how to apply this mindset:
1️⃣ Set Process Goals: Instead of just aiming to win, focus on executing a specific defensive strategy, increasing ball movement, or improving shooting form.
2️⃣ Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results: Recognize hard work, smart decision-making, and growth—even if the final score doesn’t reflect it.
3️⃣ Trust the Journey: Understand that small, consistent improvements compound into big results over time.
For players:
• Don’t focus solely on the box score. Ask yourself, “Did I make the right reads? Did I hustle on defense? Was I locked in every possession?”
For coaches:
• Encourage your team to measure success by how well they stick to their principles and give maximum effort—not just by wins and losses.
Remember, greatness isn’t built overnight. It’s the result of showing up every day, doing the work, and staying committed to the process. The wins will come.
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Stay focused on the process,
Reid