Small things consistently done produce great results.
Goals Are Overrated: How to Build Systematic Habits | James Clear
- Journal: Write out a systematic approach to one of your biggest goals.
- Do you prefer systems or goal setting? Please share in the comments.
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I like both I need goal setting for targets bit systems are how I get there.
i totally agree!
I agree, goals are just targets for me as well!
I prefer systems. They make it so that you have many smaller successes, making it a more productive way to reach a bigger success.
Great point!
Well said, Ally.
I use systems to achieve my goals. So I’d say they compliment each other.
” Habits take you wherever you want to go.” That’s the line that resonated with me! so I think I want to focus on systems from now on. I would have said goals before the video 🙂
I think both are necessary … I don’t think goals are overrated though
I disagree, I think goals are actually overrated. Though I believe that goals help set targets, I don’t think goals help with much else as most people think of them to. The consensus that most people have is that success falls in the goals you set, but I don’t believe that to be true. If a basketball coach focused on what he needed to do to win the championship (the system) and disregarded the goal of winning the championship, he would still achieve the same result, right? I don’t know. I may be wrong. Please tell me what you think.
I disagree with you, to be honest. Without a goal, what’s the point of your system? I agree with you saying goals help set targets, but if I just had a system of lifting weights (let’s say I start at 5 pounds and try to go to 15) with no goal in mind as I did it, what’s the point? If I wanted to be more physically fit, then I have a reason to do it. This reminds me of quality vs quantity, in a sense – Quality is a goal, quantity is a system. I won’t just have a system without the goal in mind, that would feel like a waste (and it would be). This is why neither has any use without the other – they work in synergy, not as enemies to each other.
I disagree. Let me explain. Here are 4 reasons why goals are overrated (All of these are notes I’ve taken while reading the book Atomic Habits. I did not come up with any of this.):
Problem 1: Winners & Losers have the SAME goal (pg 24 – 25)
Problem 2: Achieving a goal is only a momentary change (pg 25 – 26)
Problem 3: Goals restrain happiness (pg 26)
Problem 4: Goals are at odds with long term progress (pg 26 -27)
Those are really great points Sidd! I especially like the part that winners and losers have the same goal. I never thought about it like that before. Deep.
True as this may be, the fact remains that you can not commit to a system with a goal in mind. A goal without a system is just a dream, but a system without a goal is a waste
I’m a systems person. I have always believed that you can not achieve a goal unless you have a plan/system in place that you consistently follow and make changes to meet that end goal. For example when I’m training for a race I list how many days I have to run a week and the amount of miles I have to run each day. This plan changes every week so that I gradually increase my mileage to meet my end goal.
I think both goals and systems are necessary. But I like systems better. A goal is something I want to achieve, but the way that I get there is to have a system and commit to that system everyday. The system will help me get to that goal.
Setting goals and a high level Vision for your life is more fun. The systems is the planning of the work to get there – maybe less enjoyable but equally required.
I like to set the goal & working towards it!
I think the idea of systems helps to keep you moving to your goal in a less intimidating way. I liked how he said habits will take you where you want to go.
I work better in systems because I excel with things being organized. When you couple organizing with the fact that systems allow you to complete tasks unconsciously, this should result in you achieving a lot of your goals. I think Goal setting however is necessary to make the system you are working valuable.
I agree with April, both
Systems include action towards my goal so I prefer them to goal setting.
I don’t see a difference between the two… We have short, intermediate, and long term goals. Our short and intermediate goals help us progress towards the long term. In essence, the system’s structure is full of short and intermediate goals.
Prior to finishing Atomic Habits, I would’ve said that I prefer goals because I’ve been conditioned to set objectives, make and follow a plan to achieve them, and move on to the next goal-setting session. However, following effective systems on a daily basis is what forms good habits, develops character, maintains progress, builds skills, accumulates wealth, and leaves a legacy for generations.