5-Day Goal Setting Challenge - Day 2
System vs. Targets
Welcome to day 2 of the goal-setting challenge. Wasn’t yesterday awesome? We talked about deciding what you want and calculating the cost.
Today we’re going to be thinking through the benefits of systems over targets/goals.
PRODUCTIVITY POINT:
Typically, when people think of goal setting, they think of setting a goal that they will achieve by a specific time and then working until they reach their target.
I DON’T think that works very well.
Here’s why.
When you only have an endpoint in mind, the only time you feel like you accomplish something is when you actually reach your goal. Until then, you feel this tension and sense that you’re not going anywhere.
This can quickly lead to discouragement and BURNOUT, especially if it takes a while to reach your goal.
Rather than picking a specific target or goal, it’s WAYYYY more effective to create systems for yourself.
Here’s how it works.
You have a goal in mind.
You’ve calculated the cost.
Now you need to create a system of small, easily repeatable actions that will constantly push you towards your goal.
For example, let’s say you want to write a 40,000 page book. That’s a big, AWESOME goal, right?
But it’s kind of overwhelming…
….until you create a system.
A simple system for this would be to write 500 words per day, every day at 6:30 AM.
That’s IT! You could probably do that in 30-60 minutes, depending on your writing speed.
If you followed that system, you would complete your book in only 80 days. Just 2.5 months! Crazy right!
Thats the power of a system.
Small, repeatable actions lead to HUGE results.
ACTION:
You already know what you want and what the cost is to get there.
Now it’s time to create a system.
If you want to get in shape, create a small system for exercising everyday.
If you want to deepen relationships, create a system for having one meaningful conversation every week.
If you want to lose weight, create a simple system for cutting a small amount of calories out of your out of your daily diet.
These don’t need to be complicated. It DOES need to be easily repeatable!
For inspiration on this, read this post by Scott Adams: http://blog.dilbert.com/post/102964992706/goals-vs-systems
Before we dive in tomorrow, if you would like please feel free to share ONE of your goals as well as the system you’ve created for achieving that goal.
Tomorrow we’re goign to be diving into the amazingly helpful topic of programming your habits.
Warm regards,
Coleen, Reflective Soul Counselling
