Input goals vs. outcome goals?

The distinction between input goals and outcome goals involves focusing on the process versus the results. Here are key differences and insights from experts:

1. Input Goals:

   • Input goals focus on the actions and efforts you can control, such as time spent on an activity or the specific tasks completed. American author Nir Eyal discusses input goals as time-based, where you focus on how much time you can afford to spend on activities based on your values, not just the outcomes you wish to achieve 1.
   • Cal Newport emphasizes that input goals, referred to as lead indicators, are actions or efforts at a detailed level that you should track daily to progress towards larger goals. They are crucial for immediate and short-term progress 2.

2. Outcome Goals:

   • Outcome goals are focused on the results or the final achievements, like finishing a project or reaching a sales target. According to Cal Newport, these are lag indicators that you aim to accomplish through the actions defined by your input goals. These goals should be tracked over longer periods, such as quarterly or annually, to gauge larger achievements 2.
   • Jonathan from the Modern Wisdom explains that outcome goals are merely points in time and often do not significantly affect everyday happiness or contentment when compared to the ongoing attainment of input goals, which can consistently enhance daily life 3.
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       1

       Time vs Outcome

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       2

       Process vs Results Goals

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       3

       Process Over Outcome

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In essence, input goals are about the elements you can control and directly engage with, ensuring daily progress and fulfillment, while outcome and output goals are the bigger targets that result from these efforts.