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Process versus Outcome Rewards

Meaning

Process versus Outcome Rewards is a behavioral and clinical framework for structuring motivation and adherence by shifting the focus of reinforcement from the ultimate, often distant, physiological result (the outcome) to the consistent, daily actions required to achieve it (the process). In the context of hormonal health, this means celebrating the adherence to a new sleep schedule, the completion of a challenging workout, or the consistent tracking of biomarker data, rather than solely the final weight loss or lab value change. This distinction is critical for sustaining long-term behavioral change and preventing discouragement.