Focus on the process. This has been my mantra for the past 6 months as I prepare for my next marathon. Just today, I reminded a good friend of mine to do the same. (Thanks, John. Reminding you helps remind myself.)

It’s good to set a goal; in fact, you have to set a goal in order to implement the process of achieving it. However, you must beware: It’s easy to become obsessed with the outcome and lose sight of the process.

Here’s the way I approach setting goals and making plans to achieve them (this applies to all endeavors, not just running):

• Set a realistic goal. Once you have set your goal, think from the end and KNOW that the achievement of this goal will be the outcome of your focusing on the individual workouts. Then forget it.
• Focus only on each workout as you are doing it. Stay in the moment. Remember that the outcome (whatever it is) will be the result of your training.

Thinking this way requires constant practice. Anytime I find yourself obsessing about the outcome, I stop and remind myself to be here “now” – not next week or next month – “now.” How can you get today’s task done if you are focused on the task coming up tomorrow?

One day about 6 weeks ago, I lost my focus and started obsessing about my marathon finishing time in my upcoming race. My running coach (not so gently) pointed out that I was obsessing and, at the same time, asked me if I’d read the book Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard, founder and CEO of Patagonia.

Wanting to know why this book was relevant to me and my temporary lapse in focus, I bought the book. In addition to this being an excellent book which I do recommend, I discovered a very simple truth that applies to everything we do: “If you focus on the process of climbing, you’ll end up on the summit.”

I continue to focus on the process, and I encourage you to do the same.