Focus on the process not the outcome is one of the biggest cliches in sports and high performance.

But for a reason.

It’s proven to help us perform better.

But it’s so much easier said than done…

Particularly if we’re passionate about our goals (because it makes focusing on the process harder to do).

In fact, passion for long-term goals is a key ingredient in the grit formula. Which is one of the biggest indicators of success.

But the drama is when we want the outcome so badly, we’re more likely to focus on avoiding failure.

AKA perfectionism. Which does more harm than good for our performance.

The solution?

Mick Fanning shared what worked for him:

“All I could do is my best. Then I can sleep at night.”

Sounds pretty simple.

But it has a powerful domino effect.

Because when we accept that all we can do is our best, we’ve gotta be comfy with whatever the outcome is.

Then it shifts the focus to giving our best.

I wanna give my best. So I’m gonna stretch. Go over the game plan. Block out time to edit my work. Practice my speech. Whatever it is for you.

Voila. Process-focused thinking.

7 powerful words.

All you can do is your best.

Corny AF. But bloody effective.

Thanks, Mick.