I get your point and largely agree that shifting from obsessing over being “the best” toward focusing on growth is beneficial. But it’s worth being careful about the way the original study itself framed its findings as strong “evidence.”
Bradshaw et al.’s meta-analysis found correlations between intrinsic goals and positive outcomes—but correlation alone doesn’t equal proof or clear causation. The original study authors themselves interpreted these correlations as evidence of a universal pattern, which might overstate the strength of their findings given the inherent limitations of self-reported data and observational methods.
Your general conclusion about mindset is sound, but it’s important to recognize that even well-designed studies sometimes claim stronger evidence than the data truly support. Real-world success and well-being are complex, and external validation can sometimes support growth rather than harm it, depending on context and personal interpretation.
Bottom line: the mindset you describe makes sense—but we should acknowledge where the study itself might have overstated its case.
This reminds me of something Corey Wilks once said (and I'm paraphrasing): You should do something you care so much about that you would keep doing it even if you never made any money doing it. I think focusing on growth and improvement rather than being "the best" flows naturally from that orientation.
It is all about playing the game in any domain/ walk of life with inner scorecard than playing it to the terms on outer scorecard. And not sitting with the losses as sitting in the drudgery won't help as time ticks away. We need to embrace the suck/losses & try to find lessons for the upcoming times. If we are singularly focused that we need this particular goal achieved in this field, then our peripheral vision & cognition won't be able to learn the lessons.
There has been a lot going on about fulfillment, happiness while striving for goals and then there has been a lot of preaching about PROCESS vs OUTCOME. I totally understand there will not be fullfilment after winning any running, cycling, golf, basketball or any kind of thing. But would we be working towards that goal if we would knew that we won't ever achieve that in the future. We hope and preach to our selves that CHOP WOOD CARRY WATER, keep putting in the work and we will do great in future and amongst all of this the whole process gets lost. We stop sometime in near future & then realize we felt bad for not getting under 3 Hour mark or whatever it is for the individual. Isn't running 3:01 while enjoying fully not better than running 3:00:01 and feeling the worst for not getting under the mark. Keep redefining our goals is great for our selves & we must not attach our identity to any number or race. It is all just in our minds.
I get your point and largely agree that shifting from obsessing over being “the best” toward focusing on growth is beneficial. But it’s worth being careful about the way the original study itself framed its findings as strong “evidence.”
Bradshaw et al.’s meta-analysis found correlations between intrinsic goals and positive outcomes—but correlation alone doesn’t equal proof or clear causation. The original study authors themselves interpreted these correlations as evidence of a universal pattern, which might overstate the strength of their findings given the inherent limitations of self-reported data and observational methods.
Your general conclusion about mindset is sound, but it’s important to recognize that even well-designed studies sometimes claim stronger evidence than the data truly support. Real-world success and well-being are complex, and external validation can sometimes support growth rather than harm it, depending on context and personal interpretation.
Bottom line: the mindset you describe makes sense—but we should acknowledge where the study itself might have overstated its case.
This reminds me of something Corey Wilks once said (and I'm paraphrasing): You should do something you care so much about that you would keep doing it even if you never made any money doing it. I think focusing on growth and improvement rather than being "the best" flows naturally from that orientation.
Love this. Process orientation itself becomes the practice.
Wonderful article full of wisdom and actionable tips. Thank you!
It is all about playing the game in any domain/ walk of life with inner scorecard than playing it to the terms on outer scorecard. And not sitting with the losses as sitting in the drudgery won't help as time ticks away. We need to embrace the suck/losses & try to find lessons for the upcoming times. If we are singularly focused that we need this particular goal achieved in this field, then our peripheral vision & cognition won't be able to learn the lessons.
There has been a lot going on about fulfillment, happiness while striving for goals and then there has been a lot of preaching about PROCESS vs OUTCOME. I totally understand there will not be fullfilment after winning any running, cycling, golf, basketball or any kind of thing. But would we be working towards that goal if we would knew that we won't ever achieve that in the future. We hope and preach to our selves that CHOP WOOD CARRY WATER, keep putting in the work and we will do great in future and amongst all of this the whole process gets lost. We stop sometime in near future & then realize we felt bad for not getting under 3 Hour mark or whatever it is for the individual. Isn't running 3:01 while enjoying fully not better than running 3:00:01 and feeling the worst for not getting under the mark. Keep redefining our goals is great for our selves & we must not attach our identity to any number or race. It is all just in our minds.