Systems > Goals
I'm doubling down on providing you context to systems.
Why?
Because…
Systems will save your life.
You can go far, or you can go fast.
What's the saying?
If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.
I'm not so sure about that.
Here's why... As an entrepreneur, the reality is you're going to do almost everything alone.
Even if you’re not an entrepreneur, it's likely you're going to do almost everything alone.
But why?
Because nobody cares.
Does that seem or sound harsh?
Good, let that fuel you.
Here's the thing, if you want go far you're going to have to go alone, most of the time, so face that reality.
But if you want to go fast, you're going to need more than community.
You need processes.
When you have a community you can collaborate and learn other peoples’s processes, take them, apply them, and make them your own.
Processes grant you time.
Processes reduce the cognitive load (thinking) and distractions between the responsibilities necessary to get you to where you want to be in life.
Imagine sailing across a vast ocean with your destination marked by a distant lighthouse.
The goal is to reach the lighthouse, and setting goals is like adjusting the sails to get there.
However, what guides your journey is not just the goal but the robust system of navigation, weather monitoring, and adaptive strategies that enable you to navigate the unpredictable seas and ensure you stay on course.
The sailboat’s success lies in the effectiveness of its systems rather than simply fixating on the distant goal.
Reaching a goal often requires having effective systems and processes in place, not just a singular focus on the end result.
Goals are ephemeral or shifting - what we think we want today may not be what we need tomorrow.
Systems, on the other hand, provide stability and structure that can withstand changing tides.
A good system anticipates challenges, monitors progress, allows for course corrections, and lays the groundwork for not just reaching the goal but sustaining success beyond it.
Goals can provide direction, but systems deliver results.
Goals may come and go, but systems endure.
Even once a goal is achieved, the system anchors future progress. Success is often not a destination but an ongoing journey of growth and improvement enabled by strong systems.
So, while goals are important for motivation and measuring progress, the real engine that powers achievement day after day is an effective system.
The most accomplished individuals and organizations build systems that align with their values and purpose.
Their focus is not just on immediate goals but also on establishing processes for continuous learning and elevated performance.
In that sense, the system is far greater than any single goal.
Goals rely on systems, but not vice versa.
Sound systems allow you to set and achieve many different goals over time.
However, effective systems can thrive even without concrete goals every step of the way.
The system provides the foundation to pivot as goals change.
Systems enable sustainability.
Achieving a goal is one thing, but maintaining success is another.
Systems incorporate mechanisms for ongoing improvement rather than stopping at a finish line.
This allows for compounding benefits over time rather than a one-and-done outcome.
Systems offer clarity on the path, not just the destination.
Systems break down progress into manageable processes that reduce uncertainty.
It's the difference between focusing on individual footsteps versus the overall journey.
Great systems are dynamic and adaptive.
The best systems have feedback loops built in to respond to changing circumstances.
Rigidly chasing goals can lead to tunnel vision, while resilient systems allow progress even when conditions shift.
Systems provide infrastructure for the next achievement.
Each goal you achieve builds capabilities that carry over.
Effective systems preserve knowledge so you start further ahead for the next goal.
This continuity compounds capabilities over the long run.
In summary, goals are worthy of providing direction and measuring incremental progress.
But systems create the enabling infrastructure for sustainable success.
It's why the most successful people and organizations build processes that support achievement not just once but repeatedly across different goals.
The Challenge:
Pick one thing you want to get better at.
Consider what small habits or routines (systems) would help you improve over time. For example, practicing for 15 minutes every day.
Try sticking to that system, even when you don't feel motivated by the goal. Systems keep you moving forward when goals feel distant.
Be flexible. If part of your system isn't working, tweak it to make it easier to maintain. Systems should help you, not stress you out.
Think about how keeping up a system now will help you in the future. Small improvements compound if you're consistent.
Don't judge yourself just by the goal alone. Focus on following the process and celebrating small wins.
If you fall short of a goal, don't worry!
The system is what matters most, so just get back to it the next day.
When you're ready, there are two ways I can help you:
→ Life By Design (waitlist): How to Create Your Course, Start to Finish in 8 Weeks (only taking 20 students).
→ 1-3-5 Focus Framework: If you're looking for traction in your personal brand or business, I'd recommend joining the Build 1 Thing community.