Why does your business exist in the first place? What is your goal?
Most people aim to make more profit. It’s a natural goal for individuals in the business: you work hard to earn more. You invest in quality materials to provide good services and products worth your customer’s money.
There’s nothing wrong with prioritizing income. But should it be your only goal?
Or should outcome matter more?
Outcome vs. Income: Which Type of Mindset Do You Have?
An income-based mindset focuses more on making money. All of your goals are centered on the sole purpose of generating profit through your products and services. You create strategies that will guarantee more money fast.
Typical income-focused strategies answer these questions:
- How can I budget my resources and still deliver?
- How can I speed up my production process to create more products and services?
- How can I breakeven? How can I earn more?
An outcome-based mindset, on the other hand, focuses on results. Money might seem like a result, but it is the fruit of the actual result: you meeting the need of your customers. Satisfied clients will only pay when you’ve met their standards. It could also be your want to expand the business for more sustainable results.
Some people practice the income-based mindset because, as mentioned above, money is the goal of their business. They want to make money — simple as that.
But there is a danger to focusing more on income than on outcome.
The Love of Money Won’t Make the Cut
Obsessing over making money will stress you out. The Bible says it clearly:
Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. Ecclesiastes 5:10
People who prioritize money want to make more. Since they are never satisfied with the income, they will resort to ways to generate more profit. Sometimes, those ways are not sustainable or even ethical. We’ve heard of stories of businesses cutting down on quality just so they can produce more products and services. They offer half-baked results that may not be from moral or quality work.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to gain income. But it’s would be best if you prioritized outcome and income is merely a fruit of your results.
With an outcome mindset, you’re not just after the money. You want to deliver quality services to people investing on you. Since you are prioritizing quality, you know that it will take time before you guarantee the best results — and that’s OK. Patience is essential to quality results.
All businesses aren’t just for profit, in my opinion. I’d rather prioritize outcome because 1) it assures that my customers’ investment are worth it, 2) I will treat my colleagues and staff better since I’m not rushing anyone or causing moral conflicts, and 3) I want results that will honor the One who gave me my talent: the Lord.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, Colossians 3:23
Pursuing Excellence
Money-first thinking can cause you to cut corners; a results-first approach encourages you to consider your work carefully. When I work, I remind myself that I’m doing it for the Lord. This motivates me to pour in all efforts, to be mindful of my business choices, and to be more sensitive with how I approach my clients and staff.
How you deliver results matters more in the business. Money is just a fruit of your good work; not the entire point of why you do business. Whatever we do should be because we pursue quality and we are working for the Lord.
This is far more fruitful and offers more satisfaction than money alone.
So, what will you choose now? Income or outcome?
