Focus on Physicians:
Insights, Ideas, and Strategies
Creating Action Steps for Process Goals
Simply put, outcome goals are the big results you want to achieve. And process goals are the small and meaningful steps you take to achieve those larger goals. These are the actions and behaviors that are within your control. So how do you get started with creating your own process goals? In this article, I’ll walk you through the process. As the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Think of each process goal as one of those single steps.
An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in June, 2024
In a previous article I explained the difference between outcome goals and process goals. Simply put, outcome goals are the big-picture results you want to achieve. Process goals, on the other hand, are the small,meaningful steps you take along the way. They are the actions and behaviors that are within your control, and they’re where real change happen
Most effective process goals follow the SMART framework. That means that they are
✅ Specific
✅ Measurable,
✅ Achievable
✅ Relevant
✅ Time-bound
Process goals translate intention into action. They take an abstract desire, like “I want something different,” and turn it into something you can engage with intentionally, one step at a time.
So how do you actually get started?
As the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu famously said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Think of each process goal as one of those steps. Small on its own, but when you place one after the other, you will go far.
Process Goals for Physicians
The template below is a simple and effective place to begin. Set a timer for 15, 30, or 60 minutes, and just start writing. Don’t worry about getting it perfect. By the time the timer goes off, you’ll have something concrete—and that’s far more useful than staying stuck in your head.
Getting Started with Process Goals
1. Get a Notebook:
An analog, hand-written journal tends to work best. It’s less likely to get lost in the noise of your digital life and instead becomes a physical place where your thinking can land.
2. Define Your Outcome Goal:
Start with a clear sense of what you want to achieve, while staying open to the idea that this goal may evolve. Your outcome goal provides direction, but it doesn’t need to be fixed or final.
3. Break It Down:
Identify the smallest and most specific actions that will move you closer to your goal. These should be concrete steps you can realistically incorporate into your daily or weekly routine.
4. Make it SMART:
Refine your process goals so they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This keeps your goals grounded and helps you track progress without feeling overwhelmed or burdened.
5. Monitor, Reflect, and Adjust:
Review and update your notebook daily, or at least on a regular schedule. Check off completed process goals and reflect on what’s working. Adjust as needed, either to stay on course or to intentionally change direction.
6. Bonus Step:
Create outcome goals for different time horizons: weekly, monthly, one year, three years, and five years. Revisit these on a set day each week. These goals will often change, and that’s part of the process. Revisiting and revising will help you stay aligned with what matters most to you.
If this all seems a little theoretical, here’s an example of how this process might look.
Process Goals: A Practical Example
Outcome Goal: Find a New Job
Process Goals:
Clarify your values.
With those values in mind, identify 3–5 priorities that matter most in your ideal job.
Write about the reasons those aspects of the job are most important.
Now that you’ve defined you values and have clarity on what is most important to you, update your CV and LinkedIn profile to reflect your skills, experiences, interests, and values.
Identify any new skills your desired role may require
Create a plan to acquire those new skills.
Perhaps that’s attending a specialized training course, spending focused time with a mentor, or self-directed learning.
What are the specific steps you need to take to get this done?
If you want or need to relocate for the new job, create a list of 3-5 places you’d like to live.
Reach out to three colleagues who might offer insight, connections, or support.
Research and attend relevant events in your specialty over the next 3-6 months to learn about opportunities and meet people who may be interested in working with you.
Research potential medical practices or institutions that align with your values and professional goals.
Search for people who are decision makers within those organizations
Check LinkedIn for shared connections who could make an introduction.
Reach out to the connections you’ve identified with an email, message, or phone call, briefly filling them in on your situation and letting them know that you’re requesting an introduction.
If an introduction isn’t possible, draft a thoughtful email or message to the decision-maker in the group that you’ve identified.
Prepare an authentic elevator pitch that reflects who you are and what you’re seeking.
Anticipate interview questions and outline your responses.
Practice for interviews with a friend or coach.
As you can see, each one of these is a manageable step. There’s no need to have everything figured out in advance.
Why Process Goals Matter
Focusing on process goals rather than outcome goals can be transformative.
When you take ownership of the actions within your control, you create momentum, reduce stress, and build a sustainable path forward. You move out of inertia and into engagement. And along the way, you may discover unexpected opportunities, insights, or directions you hadn’t anticipated.
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If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.
And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.
Define Your Values to Create Your Ideal Life a Physician
Your values are integral to your identity. They’re the deeply personal forces that shape your decisions, your relationships, and the way you move through the world. And although they are fundamental to who you are, it’s surprisingly easy to drift out of alignment with them. In this article, I’ll guide you through a simple exercise that will help you clarify your personal values.
An earlier version of this article appeared on this website in January, 2023
Your values are integral to your identity. They’re the deeply personal forces that shape your decisions, your relationships, and the way you move through the world. And although your values are fundamental to who you are, it’s surprisingly easy to drift out of alignment with them. Responsibilities, expectations, and the sheer momentum of daily pressures can pull you off course.
When you take time to clarify and name your values, you may find that they readily crystallize into five or six core ideas. These become the anchors that bring your life meaning, purpose, and steadiness.
In this article, I’ll guide you through a simple exercise that will help you clarify your personal values. As your bring your values into the light, your awareness will sharpen and your decisions will start to feel more intuitive and connected. You’ll recognize which of your many opportunities are worth a wholehearted “yes,” which ones deserve a thoughtful “no,” and how to move toward your next step, even when the path seems rocky and untraveled.
First, Define Your Values
The first step towards living your values is to define them. This can feel a little unnecessary at first, since you likely know intuitively what matters to you. But putting a name to your values and seeing them written out in black and white can be surprisingly illuminating.
For this exercise, think of a value as a single word that captures an idea, a belief, or a way of being in the world. I’ve created a list of values for you to get started with. You can find them here. Or you can get a guided Values Workbook for free when you sign up for my newsletter.
Go through the list and circle the values that speak most strongly to you. Don’t overthink it. Your values may change over time, and that’s completely normal. There are no right or wrong, or good or bad, answers.
Once you have circled your top values, write them out. Take a good look at what you have written and see if you can narrow them down into five groups. From there, discover what themes emerge. These are your core values.
Next, Put Your Values into Action
Now, thinking about your core values, consider how you might choose to elevate these values in your daily life. Don’t try to make sweeping changes. Instead, think of small actions or choices that might more completely align your values with your life.
If you notice a wide gap between your values and the way you’re currently living, it may be a sign to pause and reassess your path.
Translating values into daily practice isn’t always straightforward. If it feels cumbersome or misaligned, you don’t have to navigate this process alone. A physician coach can be a valuable partner, helping you build deeper self-awareness and explore options that will help you to honor your unique values and aspirations.
If you’ve enjoyed this article and would like to stay in the loop for more insights on creating a sustainable, fulfilling, and happy life as a physician, sign up for my newsletter or reach out on my website. I’d love to hear from you.
And if you’d like to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with me, click the link below.
My Podcast Appearance on Sustainable Clinical Medicine
I'm excited to share my recent podcast appearance on Sustainable Clinical Medicine with The Charting Coach, a podcast for physicians and others in healthcare hosted by Dr. Sarah Smith.
In this episode we talk about values alignment, when to say no, and how to combine your passions outside of medicine with your life in healthcare.
I'm excited to share my recent podcast appearance on Sustainable Clinical Medicine with The Charting Coach, a podcast for physicians and others in healthcare hosted by Dr. Sarah Smith. Dr. Smith not only helps physicians who are struggling to keep up with charting, but she also hosts a podcast focused on the ideas and challenges that matter most to physicians and others in healthcare.
Here are three key takeaways from our conversation:
🔑Values Alignment: Discover the power of aligning your career and personal life with your core values.
🔑Saying No and Carving Time: Learn how to set boundaries and prioritize what brings you joy and fulfillment.
🔑Exploring New Avenues: Possibilities open up when you allow yourself to pursue interests outside of traditional medical roles, sustaining and supporting your life in medical practice.