When it comes to setting goals, not all goals are created equal. You’ve likely experienced this firsthand—maybe you’ve set a goal to achieve something external, like running a marathon, hitting a specific weight, or crushing a personal record in the gym. And while these types of goals—called performance goals—can be exciting, they can also leave you feeling deflated if things don’t pan out.
Let’s take a moment to explore the differences between performance goals and mastery goals, and why mastering the process might be the key to lasting progress.
Performance Goals vs. Mastery Goals
Performance goals are results-focused. They often rely on outside validation: beating a competitor, achieving a time, or hitting a specific number. While they can be motivating, they’re also a bit risky. Why? Because they depend on factors you can’t always control, like the weather on race day or whether your body decides to cooperate.
For example:
Running your fastest-ever half marathon.
Benching a certain amount of weight.
Reaching a specific body fat percentage by a set date.
When things go wrong (and sometimes they do), you can feel like a failure—even if you did everything right.
On the other hand, mastery goals are about the journey. They focus on skill development, learning, and personal growth. Mastery is driven by intrinsic motivation—finding joy in the process, not just the outcome.
For example:
Improving your running technique.
Strengthening the muscles that support your bench press.
Learning to create and follow a balanced meal plan.
These goals put you in the driver’s seat. No matter what external factors come into play, you can still celebrate progress, build confidence, and feel good about your efforts.
Why Mastery Goals Work
Mastery goals foster a growth mindset—a belief that with effort, you can improve. This mindset helps you bounce back from setbacks, enjoy the process of learning, and see challenges as opportunities.
Even top athletes rely on mastery goals. Sure, they aim for podium finishes, but their motivation to train year after year comes from the love of improving their craft. After a bad game or race, they don’t spiral into self-doubt—they ask, What can I learn? What can I do better next time?
Pairing Performance and Mastery Goals
Performance goals aren’t bad, but pairing them with mastery goals is where the magic happens. Let’s look at a few examples:
Performance goal: Beat last year’s marathon time.
Mastery goal: Practice a consistent running cadence and work on efficient foot strikes.
Performance goal: Bench press 200 pounds.
Mastery goal: Build strength in accessory muscles to support better lifts.
Performance goal: Lose 10 pounds by your birthday.
Mastery goal: Create and stick to a meal plan that balances enjoyment and nutrition.
See the difference? Mastery goals give you something to celebrate every day, no matter how close you are to the performance goal.
Making Goals Work for You
To create meaningful mastery goals, keep these tips in mind:
Start with RWA: Make sure your goals are something you’re Ready, Willing, and Able to tackle. If a goal feels too big, scale it back until it feels like a no-brainer.
Be specific: Instead of vague goals like “run faster,” break them into actionable steps, like “add one sprint interval to my weekly runs.”
Own your goals: Use language like “I’m going to…” to take control of the process. For example:
I’m going to pack my workout clothes the night before.
I’m going to drink a glass of water with every meal.
Focus on small wins: Mastery is all about progress. Celebrate every tiny improvement—it’s proof that you’re getting better.
Mastery Goals Build Confidence
Here’s why this approach works so well: mastery goals are empowering. They keep you focused on what you can control, build self-esteem, and create sustainable habits. Over time, they help you develop the confidence to tackle bigger challenges and the resilience to overcome obstacles.
Remember: this is YOUR journey. You’re in charge of your goals, your actions, and your growth. By focusing on mastery, you’ll not only achieve amazing things—you’ll also enjoy the process of becoming your best self.
Let’s get to work! What's your next mastery goal?
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