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A Goal Might Fail, But a System Can Scale

"Goals Might Fail, But Systems Scale"

Quote is attributed to Michael Cunniff, Article is an excerpt from a keynote & coaching circa June 2024





In the pursuit of success, many people set ambitious goals. Whether it's losing weight, building a business, or mastering a skill, goals give us direction they can reward us, make us feel good, and drive us to greater places. However, as many of us have experienced, goals can often fail. We feel bad, fall short of our own expectations, or lose motivation. The problem? Goals are results-oriented, but success is a continuous process.


Instead of focusing solely on the end result, we should be designing scalable systems that ensure consistent progress over time. I like to talk about it as the '1% better mentality', ask me about it, but today is about something different.


The Problem with Goals

Goals, while useful, come with inherent weaknesses:

  • They rely on motivation: Motivation is fleeting. On days when energy is low, goals alone won’t keep you moving forward. You're emotionally tied.

  • They create a pass/fail mentality: If you achieve your goal, great! If you don’t, it can feel like failure—even if you made significant progress. Those feelings can slow down other important tasks or lead to stalemate.

  • They have an endpoint: Once a goal is reached, what happens next? Many people revert to old habits after achieving a milestone because they didn’t build a sustainable system.



Why Systems Matter More

A system is a structured process that enables continuous improvement. Systems focus on actions rather than outcomes. Instead of saying, “I want to close more sales,” a system would focus on calling past prospects and active relationships, maybe, three times a week? Regardless of events of the day or life excuses.


Benefits of a Well-Designed System:

  1. Scalability: Unlike goals, systems can grow and adapt over time. A small habit can evolve into a powerful routine.

  2. Consistency: Systems create repeatable actions, reducing reliance on willpower.

  3. Resilience: If an obstacle arises, systems allow for flexibility and adjustment without feeling like a failure. It's ok for life to happen, you can get 'back on track'.


How to Build a Scalable System

To create a system that ensures long-term success, it could be different for every industry, but if you start by following these steps the habits specific to your industry will become clear:


1. Identify Core Actions

Instead of setting a goal like "write a book," create a system where you write 500 words daily. Identify the key behaviors that contribute to your success.


2. Make It Easy to Follow

The simpler the system, the easier it is to stick with. Avoid overcomplicating your routine. Start with small, manageable steps.


3. Track Progress, Not Just Outcomes

Measure actions, not just results. If you’re building a fitness habit, track how many times you work out per week rather than obsessing over weight loss numbers.


4. Adapt and Optimize

A great system evolves with you. If something isn’t working, adjust it. Flexibility ensures longevity.


5. Focus on Identity, Not Just Achievement

Think about who you want to become rather than what you want to achieve. Instead of aiming to “make more money,” focus on becoming “a person who exercises healthy top producer habits daily.”


Final Thoughts

Goals can be inspiring, but they are only a starting point. To create lasting success, focus on building a system that scales. When systems are in place, progress happens naturally, and success becomes inevitable. I want to hear about your success, please follow me on social media on my personal pages:



Questions? Want to dive deeper into this concept, check out my video where I discuss the power of systems in detail: Watch Here 



 
 
 

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