By the time you read this article, there will be a new national champion in college football, and the NFL playoffs will be down to four teams. The seasons started with 136 D1 college programs and 32 NFL teams. They all had the same goals. They all had the same aspirations when the season started.
Every business has objectives. Every team has a goal. People have hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Some even declare resolutions.
These are good things, but they don’t guarantee success. Outcome based aspirations can provide motivation, clarify destination, and unite organizations. However, “inputs” determine outcomes.
Inputs are those daily habits, consistent actions, and commitments that we hold firm that make the difference. These standards clarify our identity and determine the direction of our life and the culture within our organizations. It’s the process that determines our lifestyle.
A team may have a goal of winning a conference championship, but their “daily inputs” will determine how far they go.
A sales professional may aspire to generate a top tier sales recognition year, but the “daily inputs” will determine how much success is obtained.
An individual may set a goal of getting in better physical condition, but their “daily inputs” will determine just how far they go in getting in better condition.
I was recently speaking to a group and asked them how they would define success for 2026. In other words, if we were to fast forward to December 31, 2026, what would have happened to make the year a success. After a few minutes of searching, they started sharing several outcomes.
When they finished, I asked them to identify the “inputs” that would drive these outcomes. They didn’t realize it at the time, but we were mapping out a plan for 2026. We were identifying their standards, defining their culture, and developing a plan for the year.
We were narrowing their focus to items that would directly drive success and eliminating busy activities that had little to do with driving an outcome. We were saying “yes” to new standards and “no” to old ways.
The key was for them to embrace the process, not just the desired destination.
To crave the outcome but not love the process is to guarantee disappointment.
The process for an individual is our lifestyle represented by our habits. The process (or standards) of an organization defines the culture.
Are your habits and commitments consistent with the lifestyle you seek?
Can you point to the inputs within your organization that create the culture you seek?
Matthew 5:16 says, “To let my light shine before others, so that they may see good works and glorify God”.
The desired outcome: People give glory to God
The consistent input: Letting my light shine before others
How are you going to define success in 2026? What are your “inputs”?
Doug equips leaders to make organizations better. He has two Christian-based leadership books available on all online platforms. Whether you are looking for a speaker for your next event or a leadership coach to develop people and build an authentic team, contact Doug at doug.strickel@gmail.com and learn more about PLUS.
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