Process over Outcome: Has America Forgotten?

The first half of this post’s title takes direct aim at something I have spent a good deal of time referencing in many of my articles pertaining to youth sports. What I would like to do here is step back from that environment for a moment, taking a look at this idea of process over outcome, and the loss thereof, as it relates to the “big picture”—our society as a whole.

Before I go ahead with my rant on this topic, it might be a good idea to define these two terms as they pertain to the relationship I am about to draw between them and what I see as a shift in American ideals.

What I mean when I refer to the term “process” is the actual work and/or effort that one essentially puts into a task. It is demonstrated by a clear and organized path that takes into account what is to be done today, tomorrow, and in the future.

One who focuses more on the process takes great care in clarifying for themselves how what they are doing today will build on what they want to do tomorrow. “Winning” today is not as important to one who prioritizes the process as is building toward consistent success down the road.

It is more of a long-term approach that lends itself to continued gains and achievement through time rather than immediate gains in the here and now. Making sacrifices now for possible future successes later fits well with the idea of “process” type thinking.

Conversely, the outcome is the end result, the “reward,” so to speak. It is the “gains” one has or gets after the work has been completed and/or choices have been made. It is characterized, at least in reference to what I am discussing here, as more of a short-term approach.

Concentration and focus is weighted toward ways to achieve that outcome in the shortest and most efficient way possible—this is of utmost importance. “Winning” today is of high priority, even if it may negatively impact the future. The impact on this future that today’s decisions have two, five, 10, or 20 years down the road is looked at as something that can be dealt with later, when or if, those impacts materialize.

It is not of primary concern at this immediate juncture. Making sacrifices now that would limit current gains is not something indicative of outcome-type thinking; rather, it centers on accomplishing short-term-type goals.

Now that we have those clarifications and definitions to work with, let’s take a look at how things have changed.

Most of you reading this post are either third, fourth, or maybe even fifth generation immigrants, meaning that you, as I (third generation), come from descendants who came to the United States to make a new life for themselves.

Many did this with little or nothing but the clothes on their back, building their lives and supporting their families from the ground up. They were a hard working lot who focused on the “process” of putting in a full day’s work, and then some, building something from nothing.

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