Better Than Results
Apr 10, 2025
I was so moved by something I read recently that I couldn't wait another 7 days to share it with you, so you’re getting two newsletters today a few hours apart.
It really struck a chord with my own philosophy about health, wellness, and sustainable growth.
It perfectly encapsulates why I focus on the journey and the internal shifts rather than just the numbers on the scale.
This powerful message comes from Building The Elite on Instagram (you can check out their page here: https://www.instagram.com/buildingtheelite/):
Paradoxically, the desire for a specific outcome tends to hold us back, whereas curiosity about living an experience leads to sustainable action.
When we fixate on something we desire, we hold our happiness hostage by deciding to be unsatisfied until we achieve that specific outcome. This approach is just another form of riding the hedonistic treadmill, where we need one more goal achieved, a shiny object, or a new experience to feel satisfied - except it never ends.
Obsessing over delayed gratification is similarly unhelpful. While we need the capacity to work toward long-term goals without surrendering to immediate desires, discipline is far easier to maintain when we use curiosity to drive our behavior.
The difference might seem semantic, but the experience of moving toward a set of behaviors because you want to see what that experience is like is far different than forcing yourself to stick to a rigid routine because it's what you 'should' be doing.
A more effective approach is to pursue the process of working toward difficult objectives as an end upon themselves, intentionally chasing challenges because we are curious about what the experience will bring, not because we need to achieve a specific outcome. When we choose to pursue something because of the quality of the experience, it's a naturally reinforcing behavior.
Of course, results matter. But it's easier to play an infinite game when you're curious about pursuing an experience aligned with your values. This means you'll be naturally oriented to feedback because you want the process to continue, albeit slightly differently. So, results come as a byproduct of your approach: fully committing to the pursuit of experiencing, learning, adapting, and repeating. You don't need to think about motivation or meaning because your actions and values align.
Put another way, being process-oriented is far more sustainable, effective, and enjoyable than fixating on specific outcomes.
Chase the experience, not the outcome.
This resonates deeply with my coaching philosophy.
As many of you know, my approach isn't just about reaching a certain weight or fitting into a specific size.
It's about cultivating a sustainable lifestyle rooted in self-acceptance and empowerment.
It's about discovering the joy in movement, the nourishment in wholesome foods, and the strength that comes from within.
When we become overly focused on a specific result, we can easily get discouraged by setbacks or plateaus.
We might even resort to unsustainable quick fixes that ultimately don't serve our long-term well-being.
But when we shift our focus to the experience – the feeling of energy after a good workout, the satisfaction of preparing a healthy meal, the growing sense of self-efficacy as we overcome challenges – that's where true, lasting change happens.
Remember that woman who told me my lessons on self-worth and wellness saved her life?
Her journey wasn't about chasing a number; it was about accepting herself and making choices that aligned with her values.
The weight loss was a byproduct of that internal transformation.
So, let's embrace the process.
Let's be curious about what our bodies and minds are capable of.
Let's find joy in the journey of growth and self-discovery.
The results will follow, not as the sole focus, but as a natural consequence of living in alignment with our values and embracing the experience.
The Best Is Yet To Come!
-Coach Michael
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