Building Systems Instead of Just Setting Goals for Success
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It's that time of year again—a moment for reflection. You may find yourself considering the challenges you've faced throughout the year. Yet, there's a strong belief that next year will be different. Spoiler alert: it probably won’t be.
At the start of 2022, you likely established various goals—losing weight, paying off debt, mastering a new skill, etc. Did you accomplish them? If so, this message might not resonate with you, and you can exit now. However, if you fell short, I want to help you break free from the cycle of setting ambitious goals that often go unmet.
Let me share the method that has allowed me to evolve from a taekwondo fighter with Olympic aspirations to a machine learning engineer and writer whose work has gained over 2.1 million views in just two years—all within a decade.
As you delve into this article, keep an open mind. I will provide actionable steps you can implement immediately to enhance your achievements for 2023 and beyond. Remember the wise words of Albert Einstein: “Insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.”
The Flaws of Goal Setting
We've all been misled.
Relying solely on goals does not lead to the outcomes you desire. While goals can provide direction, they should not be mistaken as the path to fulfillment.
Here’s why:
1. The Fantasy Trap
It's easy to become overly invested in the pursuit of your goal, becoming consumed by the excitement and relief that achieving it may bring. This is known as a “positive fantasy,” and it can be detrimental. Research shows that indulging in fantasies about future success can actually drain your motivation to pursue those goals, leaving you unprepared for inevitable challenges.
2. The Outcome Trap
Goals often focus exclusively on end results, neglecting the necessary growth and development required to achieve those results. Consider the fact that around 70% of lottery winners end up broke; they address the symptom—being broke—without tackling the underlying issue of poor financial habits. A temporary solution doesn't rectify the root cause.
3. The Failure State Trap
Have you ever thought, “I’ll be happy when I achieve X”? This mindset is a by-product of the goal-centric approach. It postpones happiness to an uncertain future while you grapple with dissatisfaction in the present. Such a mentality creates an either-or scenario: you are either a success or a failure, leaving no space for progress.
What Are Systems?
Systems are the driving force behind your goals. They foster self-discipline and ultimately enhance your long-term happiness. As James Clear emphasizes in Atomic Habits, “Goals are good for setting a direction, but systems are best for making progress.”
Here are a few examples of effective systems: - Objective: Write a book in a year. System: Commit to writing “two pages a day,” as Tim Ferris advises. - Objective: Build a social media presence. System: Post content daily. - Objective: Master a musical instrument. System: Practice the fundamentals every day.
The Significance of Systems
Systems provide structure. For instance, in the UK, a credit system helps determine borrowing eligibility, removing uncertainty. Similarly, systems clarify what actions you need to take to achieve your goals, preventing chaos in your life.
1. Systems Prioritize Skills
By concentrating on skills, you shift your focus to the process. You may not reach your goal, but you will gain valuable skills that will last a lifetime.
2. Systems Foster Lasting Change
Unlike goals, which focus on end results, systems address the underlying issues. By fixing the inputs, the outputs will follow suit, as James Clear states.
3. Systems Cultivate Present Happiness
Systems recognize the nuances between where you are and where you aim to be. You don’t need to wait for achievement to feel happy; you can find joy in the journey itself.
Creating a System in Five Steps
The secret to effective systems lies in small, consistent victories. You should celebrate daily achievements. Let’s walk through the steps together:
Step 1: Define Your Aspirations
Take a moment to think deeply about what you wish to achieve. Instead of vague goals, get specific. For example, if you aspire to be a professional footballer, clarify that you want to excel at a top club competing for titles in both England and Europe.
Step 2: The Five Whys
To differentiate yourself from others with similar goals, uncover your “why.” This core motivation is what drives you. Use the “five whys” technique to delve into the root cause of your aspirations. For example:
- Why do you want to be a top footballer? To prove people wrong.
- Why do you want to prove them wrong? To ensure they don't give up on me.
- Why is that important? It affects my confidence.
- Why does it affect your confidence? I’m sensitive to others' opinions.
- Why are you sensitive? I struggle with low self-esteem.
From this, you can see that low self-esteem is the core issue, which can be addressed daily.
Step 3: Identify Necessary Actions
Think of this stage as constructing a bridge from your current state to your desired destination. Learn from those who have achieved what you want and follow their path.
Step 4: Establish Implementation Intentions
Now that you know what actions to take, set clear intentions for when and where to execute them. A typical structure for an implementation intention is: “I will [ACTION] at [TIME] in [LOCATION].”
For example: - I will exercise for one hour every weekday before work at the gym. - I will log my expenses whenever I use Apple Pay. - I will write for my blog for two hours daily in my home office.
Implementation intentions act as a safety net for less motivated days.
Step 5: Review and Adapt
The systems you adopt should be flexible. Track your progress to see what works for you. If you find that your gym routine is more effective at a different time, adjust accordingly.
Final Thoughts
While goals provide direction, they are not sufficient for actual progress. You need to create a system that allows for continuous movement toward your objectives, even on days when motivation is lacking.
To build a system: - Identify what you want - Understand why you want it - Learn the required actions - Set implementation intentions - Regularly review and adjust
Thank you for reading!
If you’re tired of setting goals without seeing results, grab your FREE copy of “Building Systems Instead of Just Setting Goals.”