When we think about being successful, accomplishment of goals is often number one on the list. We’ve all been taught the importance of setting SMART goals–specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time bound–and pushing hard to achieve them.
But what if I told you that the “goal obsession” or “goal obsessing” might be the thing that’s holding you back?
There’s another, much more effective, strategy – one based on systems design instead of goal-setting. This slight change in perspective is what can make a profound difference in both personal and professional life.
So, let’s learn why constructing effective systems is a more sustainable way to achieve success, how it works, and how you can start applying it in your life.
Why Goals Alone Aren’t Enough
In theory, setting goals seems perfect. You identify something that you desire, set an objective, and pursue it. Yet, many people have this unfortunate cycle of setting high expectations, getting off to a good start, and then falling off the horse. In layman’s terms, they lose motivation.
Research supports this. The problem that researchers found in a study published in the Psychological Bulletin is that people are often unable to complete their projects for a number of reasons, such as boredom, unreasonable expectations or burnout.
Goals lead us, but they don’t show us the way or give us a roadmap of how to reach our destination. They’re the “what” but don’t address the “how.” Goals can be scary, if not paralyzing, as they draw attention to a disconnect between where we are and where we want to be. This is often accompanied by anxiety or insecurity.
Systems Are Sustainable and Focused on Progress
Systems, on the other hand, emphasize consistent action and small, achievable steps. They define a repeatable process to follow daily, weekly, or monthly, regardless of specific outcomes.
Instead of fixating on the end result, a system-oriented approach shifts your focus to the process itself. This is liberating and allows you to feel progress every day.
James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, sums up this contrast well: “You do not rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.”
His research suggests that while goals give us motivation, systems create a sustainable framework for actual growth. Think of systems as routines and structures that lead to outcomes naturally without the constant pressure of reaching a fixed destination.
How to Build Effective Systems Instead of Relying on Goals
1. Identify the Process, Not Just the Outcome
Example: Suppose your goal is to write a book. Rather than setting a target to “finish writing a book by next year,” focus on building a system where you write for 30 minutes every day.
How-To: Set a specific time in your daily routine for writing. Make it non-negotiable, and create a distraction-free environment to support it. Over time, writing consistently, even on the hard days, will naturally bring you closer to finishing that book.
2. Focus on Consistent Action, Not Perfection
Example: Let’s say you want to get in shape. Instead of aiming to lose 20 pounds, create a system that focuses on daily movement, like walking 10,000 steps or doing a 20-minute workout.
How-To: Pick an activity level you know you can stick with daily, even if it’s as simple as a 10-minute stretch. Once it becomes part of your routine, you can gradually increase the intensity. This system will not only build your physical health but also ensure you’re creating a habit that’s maintainable.
3. Make Systems Enjoyable and Flexible
Example: If you want to learn a new language, setting a goal to be fluent in six months may feel overwhelming and unrealistic. Instead, create a system where you dedicate 15 minutes daily to practice, incorporating fun elements like music, movies, or conversations with native speakers.
How-To: Schedule small chunks of time in your day to explore the language in enjoyable ways. Apps like Duolingo or Babbel are great, but add variety with YouTube videos, language meet-ups, or gamified flashcards. By making the learning process enjoyable, you’re more likely to stick with it long-term.
Systems Provide Continuous Feedback and Motivation
One of the best aspects of creating systems is the feedback loop. When you focus on systems, you have daily progress to reflect on, which keeps you motivated.
Goals are often binary—you either achieve them or you don’t. Systems, however, emphasize small wins and progress over time, building confidence along the way.
In addition, by working within a system, you get immediate feedback on what’s working and what isn’t. For example, if you’re following a writing system and find yourself consistently missing your daily 30-minute writing time, it may signal that you need to adjust your schedule or eliminate distractions.
Systems allow you to recalibrate along the way, something that rigid goal-setting doesn’t accommodate.
Applying Systems Thinking to Different Areas of Life
Work and Career
Goal-Oriented Approach: “I want a promotion by next year.”
System-Oriented Approach: Develop a system for continuous learning, networking, and tracking projects where you add value. Dedicate an hour each week to reading industry news, taking relevant online courses, and setting bi-monthly check-ins with mentors.
This system supports career growth consistently and organically, rather than putting all the pressure on landing a single promotion.
Health and Wellness
Goal-Oriented Approach: “I want to be able to run a marathon.”
System-Oriented Approach: Build a routine of gradual running practice, balanced with strength training, adequate sleep, and nutrition monitoring. Whether or not you complete a marathon, this system ensures you’re improving your fitness sustainably.
Personal Development
Goal-Oriented Approach: “I want to read 30 books this year.”
System-Oriented Approach: Create a daily reading habit where you read for 20 minutes before bed. Instead of focusing on the number of books, your focus is on becoming a consistent reader, which will naturally result in reading more.
Reflecting on Progress, Not Just Outcomes
Systems are inherently more forgiving than goals. When you focus on a system, you’re less likely to feel like a failure when things don’t go as planned.
Maybe you only exercised four days instead of five, or you read only one chapter instead of finishing a book. With systems, these aren’t failures; they’re simply part of the natural rhythm of life.
In the long run, systems build resilience. They teach us to show up every day, regardless of how motivated or unmotivated we feel.
And when the results finally come—when you complete that book, improve your health, or advance in your career—they feel like a natural outcome rather than a forced victory.
Embrace Systems for Lasting Success
The next time you’re tempted to set a goal, ask yourself: “What system would help me make consistent progress toward this?”
Goals are helpful for giving direction, but systems are what create lasting change. Rather than worrying about where you want to be in a year, start focusing on small, consistent steps that will bring you day by day.
You see, the secret to getting anything is not in pursuing the outcome but instead loving the process that gets you there.
When you start thinking about systems, you free yourself to improve, learn and thrive day in and day out, and what could have been a single goal is now a lifetime of success.