1. You will develop a growth mindset. This refers to the belief that you can improve your abilities through effort and feedback. A growth mindset leads to higher motivation, resilience, and achievement. As research by Stanford's Carol Dweck, Ph.D., has shown, a growth mindset allows you to see challenges as learning opportunities. You are more likely to persist in the face of setbacks. You will be less tempted to pursue shortcuts and more likely to achieve your potential.

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2. You will become more creative. Your dissertation is a demanding intellectual project. By focusing on the process, you can experiment with different ideas, learn from failures, and generate novel solutions when you stop tying up mental resources with performance anxiety. Studies show that, compared to an outcome fixation, a process orientation leads to greater originality and flexibility.

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3. You will enjoy enhanced well-being and happiness. You will be able to appreciate the journey itself. Research shows that people who value the process more than the outcome experience more positive emotions, satisfaction, and meaning in their work and life. They are also less likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, and depression. By focusing on the process, you can find joy and fulfillment in what you do, rather than what you achieve. Allow yourself to enjoy the trip, not just the destination.

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4. You will improve your performance and results. You will learn to set realistic and attainable goals, monitor your progress, and adjust your strategies. Focusing solely on your desired outcome can actually backfire, as research by NYU's Gabrielle Oettingen, Ph.D., demonstrates. In paying attention to the process, you will find yourself developing concrete plans for overcoming inner obstacles (e.g., perfectionism and procrastination) and outer ones (e.g., interruptions and critical feedback). As you hone your own personal process, you will be well on the road to becoming more effective, productive, and successful.

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5. You will build greater self-confidence and self-efficacy. Focusing only on the results can lead to impostor syndrome, whereas a process focus will develop your belief that you can accomplish your goals and overcome challenges. As you progress, celebrate your small wins, recognize your strengths, and acknowledge your efforts. Such an approach will lead to higher self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-efficacy than an outcome focus. As many have observed, a process orientation leads to greater resiliency and the ability to cope with stress and uncertainty.

 

Focusing on the process rather than outcome clearly offers important benefits for your personal and professional development as a doctoral student. So, how can you start focusing more on the process? Here are three proven tips to guide you:

 

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Set process goals, not just outcome goals.

Process goals are specific, measurable, and actionable steps that you can take to achieve your outcome goals. For example, instead of setting a goal to complete five pages, set a goal to write for 90 minutes. Focus on what you can control rather than what you can't. Start by creating simple plans, for example, blocking out dissertation time on your calendar—and keep a dissertation task list handy. By precommitting yourself to a schedule for getting started, you are three times more likely to follow through, according to widely replicated research by Peter Gollwitzer, Ph.D., of NYU. Focus on the "do" date, not the "due" date.

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Reflect on your progress, not just your results.

Reflection is a powerful tool for learning and improvement. It helps you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, identify what worked and what didn't, and plan for future actions. After completing your task, ask yourself questions like: What did I learn from this? What did I do well? What can I do better? How can I apply this to other situations? You may discover you are cultivating valuable success habits for a lifetime!

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Seek feedback, not just praise.

Discover where you need to grow from feedback, including from failures. This will help you identify your gaps, correct your mistakes, and enhance your skills. Instead of avoiding critiques, seek them. Get feedback from your advisor and others who can offer you constructive opinions. Ask them how you can improve, what areas to work on, what best practices to follow. (I've never forgotten an interview with the great actor Cicely Tyson, who said her secret to success was seeking critical feedback, starting with her high school drama teacher.) Finally, remember that feedback does not reflect your worth as a person.

 

Of course, focusing on the process does not mean ignoring or neglecting the outcome. The outcome still matters—it offers you direction and motivation. Just don't let it overshadow the process. The key is to find a balance between the process and the outcome without letting one dominate the other. As many wise people have observed, the process is where the magic happens. It is where you discover new things, challenge yourself, and have fun.

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Along the way, celebrate your efforts and appreciate your growth. The journey matters—because it is where you will spend most of your time. Your defense and graduation will last a few hours at most. Meanwhile, how you live each day determines the quality of your life. How would you like it to be?