Scott Adams in his book How To Fail At Almost Everything, suggests that the systems-goals model can be applied to most human endeavors. Humans will always think in terms of goals. Our brains are wired that way. But goals make sense only if you also have a system that moves you in the right direction. In. the world of dieting, losing twenty pounds is a goal, but eating right is a system. In the realm of exercise running a marathon is under four hours is a goal but exercising daily is a system. In the realm of business, making a million dollars is a goal, but being a serial entrepreneur is a system.

Author Ryan Holiday in his book The Obstacle In The Way, tells about Nick Saban, one of the most successful collegiate football coaches ever. Coach Saban runs his organization with two-words, The Process.” Coach Saban says, “Do not think about winning the SEC Championship. Don’t think about the national championship. Think about what is needed to be done in this drill, on this play, in this moment. That’s the process: Let’s think about what we can do today, the task at hand.” That is a system!

Coach John Wooden was the ultimate systems guru. His system was to put your socks on right, focus on the fundamentals, make today’s practice a masterpiece. The rest will take of itself.

Author Adam Scott tells us in his own sort of blunt way that goals are for losers. He writes that if we are focused on something we may get someday, we’re always focused on what we don’t have now and therefore, are losing.” On the other hand, we succeed every time that we apply our system throughout the day. Author Scott is all about optimizing his personal energy throughout the day and collecting little wins throughout the day. NOW that is a great idea!

What about you? Where is your focus? Obsessing on a goal? Focusing on a system that will make a goal a natural byproduct to you consistently crushing it!