Goals are everywhere: lose 20 pounds, write a book, earn six figures. We set them, chase them, sometimes achieve them. Then what? We set new goals and start the cycle again.
But what if goals are the problem, not the solution?
The Goal Problem
Goals create several issues:
**Binary success**: You either achieve the goal or you don't. No middle ground.
**Temporary motivation**: Once achieved, motivation disappears.
**Future focus**: Goals make you constantly dissatisfied with the present.
**Luck dependency**: Many factors outside your control determine goal achievement.
The System Alternative
A system is a regular process you follow regardless of results. Systems focus on what you can control: your actions.
**Goal**: Write a book
**System**: Write 500 words daily
**Goal**: Lose 20 pounds
**System**: Eat whole foods and exercise 4x weekly
**Goal**: Build a successful business
**System**: Talk to 5 potential customers weekly
The system is the path. The goal is just a direction.
Why Systems Work
**Continuous improvement**: Systems create ongoing progress, not one-time achievement.
**Sustainable motivation**: Following a good system feels good daily, not just at the end.
**Present focus**: Systems make today matter, not some future date.
**Control**: You control your system execution. Results are influenced but not controlled.
Building Your System
**Identify the behavior**: What daily or weekly action leads toward your desired outcome?
**Make it simple**: Your system should be easy to execute even on hard days.
**Track execution, not results**: Did you follow the system? That's success.
**Adjust based on data**: If the system isn't producing desired results over time, modify it.
The Writing System
Instead of "Write a book" (goal), try:
Follow this system for a year. You'll have a book's worth of words, 52 published pieces, and deep genre knowledge. The book emerges from the system.
The Fitness System
Instead of "Lose 20 pounds" (goal), try:
Follow this system consistently. Weight loss is a side effect of the system, not the focus.
Systems Compound
Good systems create compound effects:
Goals are one-time events. Systems are compounding processes.
When Goals Help
Goals aren't useless—they're just incomplete:
**For direction**: Goals show which direction to point your system.
**For decisions**: Goals help you say no to activities that don't serve your direction.
**For milestones**: Goals mark progress points in your system.
But the system does the work. Goals just provide direction.
The Identity Connection
Systems work best when tied to identity:
"I'm a writer" supports the system "write daily."
"I'm healthy" supports the system "exercise regularly."
Identity + System is more powerful than either alone.
Falling in Love with the Process
Goal-oriented people love outcomes. System-oriented people love processes.
If you love the outcome but hate the process, you won't sustain the behavior needed to achieve it.
Find systems you enjoy following. The results will come.
Your System Design
For any desired change:
1. What's the daily/weekly behavior that leads there?
2. Can you commit to this behavior regardless of immediate results?
3. How will you track system execution (not outcomes)?
4. What will make this system easy to follow?
Design systems you can follow indefinitely. That's where transformation happens.