Systems over Goals

Systems Over Goals

Having a target is what starts the system.

In The Ten Roads to Riches, Ken Fisher talked about building systems to help you automate success "We never heard from her again, but I believe she succeeded since she built a machine for it."  By building a repeatable machine that helps you keep your system driving forward is huge.  Each January 1st...or perhaps your birthday or other temporal milestone, we make these grandiose wishes that we toss out into the ether.  Those so-called "goals" only make traction when we create an underlying system as a scaffold or superstructure to hold us up.  Whereas the goal may point the way toward a particular desired outcome, a system is the component parts to get across the finish line.  

Systems and steps 
make up progress.

When we make this applicable to our own lives in a more practical sense, we may have (probably should have) goals or targets that we're aiming at in each facet of our lives.  To get actual results or progress, we should build systems that get us closer to those stated targets.  In the example of a budget, our goal may be a finite number...save $20,000 for a car.  As we build a system, we begin adding details like buy it by when, which car, and so forth.  We also flesh out the system with items like how much we'll need to save each month, automate the process, which accounts to use, and so forth.  The system of $500/month automatically going to a set-aside bank account for 20 months enables us to actually make the purchase.  

Practicing your system
brings improvement.

You can extrapolate out systems into whatever other facet of life.  For example, with a goal around faith, the system could look like praying at dinner, reading the Bible on a phone app, or setting alarms 30 minutes before church on Sunday.  In health, a system could look like meal planning, not buying snacks/junk food, and habitually parking at the end of a parking lot or pre-deciding to take the stairs whenever they're available.  

Interconnected systems
can intertwine.

It has been said as a mantra, that "nothing changes if nothing changes."  With our New Year's Resolution style wishing, we may "hope" that something changes...but until we change parts of the equation.  You've likely heard that "hope is not a plan" and the good news is that most everything in our lives is an equation of sorts and therefore we can change it.  Double good news, we can also likely use the combination of habits and systems to make meaningful, lasting changes.  The first step is just deciding to make a change, then writing up a system/set of systems to implement daily, small changes, and viola...a little patience later and you're nailing it!

Learning about
other systems helps
refine ours.

Before we depart, we wanted to mention Parkinson's Law which states that generally "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion."  This likely applies to other parts of our life including discretionary time and distractions.  Building a system that helps inject items that get you closer to your goals is critical.  The old adage "idle handles are the devil's playground" remains true.  Idle hands today tend to lead us into mindless scrolling of social media, binge-watching shows, or otherwise being largely stationary in mind and body.  With this problem only growing, we wanted to mention the importance of systems that address our screen time.  

Target
practice helps.

You can find win-win solutions as well.  As an example with the screen time from above, the system to reduce our screen addiction may include plugging the phone/tablet/device in when you get home and then having a timer when you can use it so you have to get up to go get it.  You may also combine it with activities like "I'll only scroll on my phone if I'm walking around the block and being physical."  Similarly, your system might be installing a self-imposed gatekeeper of only touching a screen if no one else is in the room (e.g. you're not distracted at the expense of your loved ones).  

All of this to say, goals are great...start with those and then work on putting the engine and wheels on the vehicle to get you across the finish line.  The systems you employ... particularly when habitual...are a powerful force.  

With you in the arena, from ours to yours...Happy Trails!

Call to Action: 

• Pick out a couple of new systems that help you get closer to one of your goals you've struggled with.  Employ calendars, technology, alarms, accountability, etc to get these systems cemented firmly.  
• 1 - ___________________ 
• 2 - ___________________
• 3 - ___________________
• Discussion: Consider what you/your family could/would/should (level of commitment) and start/stop/sustain (action) in terms of family systems.  Chances are, some of your goals/systems involve the whole family...build a system that helps move all of you together.  

Further Reading, Motivation, and References:

- “The score takes care of itself.” - Bill Walsh, hall of fame type Football Coach.