GOALS are NOT Important

Watch the Video HERE!

We’ve all heard some variant of the expression “if you want to be successful, you need to set goals.” Therefore, goals must be very important and intimately linked to the concept of success, yes?

Contrary to what may be considered common knowledge, setting goals does not inherently lead to success. They are actually far less valuable than that. Instead, the SYSTEMS behind the goals are what drive you to obtaining them.

Every professional sports team in the world wants to win the playoffs. Every good student wants to get an A. Every individual wants to do well in their careers and interpersonal relationships. But then, why doesn’t every team win the playoffs? Why do some students flunk out? Why doesn’t everyone do fantastic in their career and relationships? While the goals are consistent, the systems (or rather, the processes to help move a person towards their goals) may have some intense variability.

A helpful tip is to picture an achiever of your goal. What do they look like? What do they do? How do they spend their free time? If you can develop a strong, mental picture of the type of person who achieves the goals you want, the necessary systems often come alongside them.

Maybe you hire a strength & conditioning trainer for your sports team, or maybe you stay late after practice to shoot 100 3-pointers. Maybe you hire a tutor, or maybe you keep your cell phone in your locker during class. Maybe you burn the midnight oil in developing your own business, or perhaps you never forget to schedule date night for Thursday evenings, and check in on your friends regularly.

Whatever your goals are, identify the systems of a person who would achieve them. Then apply those same systems to your day-to-day life. Sooner or later, you’ll be the type of person who achieves your goal.