Systems Over Goals
Lesson 5: Goals Provide Direction, But Systems Drive Sustained Progress.
Goals are great, but systems are better. While goals define what you want to achieve, systems determine how you get there. This distinction, emphasized by James Clear in Atomic Habits, has reshaped how I approach growth and success in both my personal and professional life.
At the start of my career, I struggled a lot with productivity in my work and personal life. Despite setting ambitious goals, I often fell short of achieving them or struggled to maintain consistency once I hit the target. For instance, I wanted to develop a habit of reading more books, so I set a goal of reading 15 books in a year. But after a strong start, life got busy, and my progress faltered.
It wasn’t until I shifted my focus from the goal to building a system—reading 10 pages every night before bed—that I achieved lasting results. By focusing on the process, I not only reached my goal but exceeded it without feeling overwhelmed.
Another example was my learning goal. In Lesson 3, I mentioned setting learning goals, and one of those was; to learn something new every week. At first, it felt like I was learning aimlessly. It wasn’t until I built a system—a weekly reflection in my Notion-based weekly planner to record what I’d learned—that I noticed how much I was growing. The system provided structure, making my learning tangible and intentional.
The lesson I learned is simple but powerful: goals can provide direction, but systems are the engines that drive progress. Goals are momentary, but systems create consistency and long-term success.
Think of it this way: if your goal is to win a marathon, the system is your daily training regimen. Goals are about the result; systems are about the process. Focusing on systems ensures that progress is steady and sustainable, regardless of whether you achieve the immediate goal.
James Clear, in Atomic Habits, explains that goals are outcome-focused, while systems are process-focused. This shift in mindset is crucial because:
- Goals create a finish line. Once achieved, the motivation often fades. Systems keep you moving forward even after you reach a milestone.
- Systems build identity. When you commit to a process, you reinforce the kind of person you want to be. For example, instead of saying, “I want to write a book,” say, “I’m someone who writes every day.”
- Systems embrace progress. Even if you don’t achieve the goal right away, consistent systems ensure that you’re always improving.
This approach has significantly impacted my personal and professional growth. Whether it’s staying physically active, building relationships, or developing skills, I’ve learned to prioritize daily actions over long-term aspirations. The irony is, when you focus on systems, you often achieve your goals faster than expected—and with much less stress.
If you’re ready to move from setting goals to building systems, start small:
- Identify your goal. What do you want to achieve?
- Design a system. Break the goal into manageable actions you can incorporate into your daily or weekly routine.
- Focus on consistency. Instead of waiting for big wins, celebrate small victories along the way.
For example, if your goal is to get healthier, start with a system of walking 15 minutes daily instead of focusing solely on losing a specific number of pounds.
Focusing on systems over goals isn’t just about productivity—it’s about creating a lifestyle that aligns with your values and aspirations. Goals may get you started, but systems keep you going. When you prioritize the process, you not only achieve results but also grow into the kind of person capable of sustaining them.
So,
What system can you start building today?
In case you missed lesson 04, you can read it here.
Ivan Kabandize