Winning vs. Long-Term Growth: Why Process-Focused Athletes Thrive

Laura Baden
4 days ago
3 min read

Every parent wants to see their child succeed in sports—whether that means scoring the winning goal, making the travel team, or eventually competing at the next level. But here’s the truth: athletes who stay focused on the process, not just the outcome, not only perform better but also enjoy the game more and experience less stress, anxiety, and burnout.

At Earn the Edge Performance, we’ve seen firsthand that mental approach is the ultimate differentiator in youth sports. And the research agrees.

The Problem with Outcome-Focus

When young athletes define success only by wins, stats, or rankings, their entire sense of self-worth gets tied to performance.

📉 Research shows:

Outcome-focused athletes are more likely to experience performance anxiety and feelings of failure when results don’t go their way (Gould et al., 2002).
Youth athletes who tie identity too tightly to sport outcomes have higher rates of depression and burnout (Fraser-Thomas et al., 2005).
Even highly talented athletes are at risk of quitting early when pressure to win overshadows enjoyment and growth (Smith, Smoll, & Cumming, 2007).

The problem? Wins and losses are often out of their control—dependent on referees, teammates, weather, or simple chance.

The Power of Process-Focus

On the other hand, athletes who focus on process goals—like effort, body language, communication, or specific skill execution—build resilience and long-term success.

📈 Research shows:

Process goals increase motivation and enjoyment, leading to greater long-term participation (Weinberg & Gould, 2018).
Athletes with a mastery (process) orientation are less likely to experience anxiety and more likely to see mistakes as growth opportunities (Dweck, 2006).
Teams that emphasize effort and learning over results show higher cohesion, confidence, and performance consistency (Harwood, Keegan, & Smith, 2015).

Teaching Kids to Be Process-Focused

So how do we, as parents and coaches, help athletes stay focused on what they can control?

Celebrate Effort, Not Just Outcomes
- Instead of asking “Did you win?”, try: “How hard did you compete today?” or “What’s one thing you improved?”
Set Process Goals Before Games
- Examples: “Stay aggressive on defense,” “Communicate with teammates,” “Focus on my breathing before free throws.”
Reframe Mistakes
- Teach athletes to view errors as opportunities. A turnover isn’t failure—it’s feedback on what to adjust next time.
Model It at Home
- Kids mirror parents. If they hear you celebrating hustle, resilience, and sportsmanship instead of just wins, they’ll internalize those values.

The Big Picture: Winning Will Come

Ironically, when athletes stop obsessing about winning, they usually start winning more. Why? Because they’re looser, more confident, and better able to perform under pressure.

The process mindset protects their mental health and builds skills that last far beyond the field: resilience, confidence, self-regulation, and the ability to face challenges with grit.

How Earn the Edge Supports This Growth

Our mission is to help athletes become strong, confident, resilient competitors—without sacrificing joy or mental well-being. That’s why resources like the 12-Week Elite Mindset Training Workbook are built around: