PL 101: Systems vs. Goals (Discussion 4)
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Hello Leadership Crew!
Welcome to our 4th discussion in this first course. In todays discussion, we will be talking about systems vs. goals.
To start, please read this post here  and watch this video.
The basic argument here is that having a system is better than having a goal. A system is a way of behaving that helps you move towards accomplishing something. A goal is usually and end state that happens after you have accomplished something. I think eating healthy is a good example. A goal might be to lose 10 pounds. In this case, you feel kind of bad about yourself until you hit that goal; and then, once you hit it, you kind of lose the purpose because the goal has been reached. If you relapse and gain wait again, then you fall back into feeling bad about yourself again. Contrast this with a system of eating healthy. A system might include things like: having a big glass of water prior to each meal; eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, and nuts; not eating after 9pm; and/or doing some level of intermittent fasting. You wouldnt integrate all of these new healthy eating behaviors at once. Instead, youd gradually introduce one and then another and then another over whatever period of time makes sense. The system enables you to continuously get healthier and healthier. You will eventually reach the goal, but itll be the byproduct of eating healthy.
Another example might be education. I dont really care all that much about grades for my kids. I mostly want them to learn and enjoy learning. We talk about what they learn, we draw things, they make their own educational videos, they explain things to me in their own words etc. I want them to have a system of learning and refining their perspective on things. If they have this system, then having good grades will be a natural result of enjoying learning.
This also has implications for 7 Cups as well. We might have goals of having a certain amount of group support messages or 1:1 messages. Those are fine goals to have, but we mostly want to create a system of support where people care for one another and then the natural result is an increased number of messages. Or, zooming back, think about this leadership development program. We could have an arbitrary goal of training a certain number of new leaders to serve our community; or we can co-create a system - this leadership development program - that helps people become leaders. The natural consequence of the program will be a higher number of trained, competent, and strong leaders that can better support our community. Â
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed? What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
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@GlenM
A key system I need is a system to help raise my grades. Three behaviors I can implement are, study for assessments, ask questions when confused, and reflect on past assignments to see what I can improve on.
a key system that i need to set up is loving myself. what i can do about it:
1- tell myself im beautiful everyday, even if i dont believe it, maybe one day i will.
2- celebrate every small success in order for me to see good things i do
3- do small things for myself everyday, so i can be able to realize i can do things by myself and that self care is needed
@ItsZaylee
Hi zaylee, its really a very nice move towards life,really appreciate your steps, all the very best dear😊
The key system that I think I need to set up to succeed in my life is to have a balanced life. I havd been through some extreme conditions and now I know the value and importance of a balanced life, thus want to achieve it.
The 3 behaviours I can implement to help myself gradually grow this new system in my life is
1) To eat healthy, as it is well said we are what we eat, having a healthy meal would help in having a healthy mindset which is crucial for success at both personal and professional level.
2) Exercise, we can't really put the benefits of exercise into words, it not only helps to have a good physical health but also helps in having a balanced emotional ,hormonal level and taking toxic out of your body as well as your life. I wont exercise to punish my body and lose weight rather would exercise to celebrate what my body is capable of doing.
3) Stop procrastinating, well I have this habit of putting things for later sometimes and procrastinate a lot at time which do creates a blunder few times but a mental volcanic eruption is always guaranteed, which isn't healthy. All it takes is a little effort to complete things and stop the cycle of procrastination
A key system I need to set up is one that will allow me to set aside the pressure that builds up throughout time.
3 behaviors I can implement to alleviate the feeling of such pressure is to allocate time just for me. Specifically, a short break where I can do anything that isn't related to what gives me stress. A second behavior I can do is to take baby steps in building my confidence such as saying more optimistic words to myself and not being too harsh on every action I do. A third behavior I can do is to write a journal of my day to help sort all of my emotions and allow me to take a step back when looking over to switch up the mindset.
Thank you. I enjoyed reading the post and watching the video. They were insightful. Goals are meant to direct us into the 'right' path. As systems are how we travel on the path -- keep us moving forward to our destination.
A key system that I need to set up in my life to help me succeed is:
spending more time dan connecting to my family in order to get a good family relationship
3 behaviors I can implement to help me gradually grow that new system are:
(1) set device-free hours in our home (get into some activities together: playing games, story-telling, etc.)
(2) ask for help on chores more often, e.g.: preparing meals together (even when I know the kids may make things a bit more messy than necessary)
(3) learn to be more patient (take some deep long breath when I feel like to shout at my kids)
@GlenM
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
To project positive thoughts, to believe in myself and to boost my self-esteem.
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
To remind myself to see positive aspects to a situation
To use empowering and positive words only- erase all the negativity
Work on small tasks each day to boost my self-esteem
@Dazzle28purvi I agree, I think viewing things from a positive light and using positive-focused words can keep us in perspective and more centred on solutions rather than feeling doomed :) gotta kick those cognitive distortions away!
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
I think, especially now being out of school and out of work stuck inside, I need some sort of structure, a routine to follow each day where I can have little accomplishments without having to worry about reaching some big goal. In a way I think it's interesting, because I feel like most of the goals I set up for myself are really more like the systems described (eg. I've never set a "weight loss goal", but instead always think of it like "I want to exercise at least 2 times a week" or something). I need a system to keep me going forward instead of standing still.
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
I really liked the idea of the 2 minute rule, I think that could really help me. Having to sit for a long time and do something seems intimidating, or sometimes it's hard to start at all, but I think only having to do it for 2 minutes would really be helpful. And getting yourself in that mode would probably make it last much longer than the 2 minutes.
Another behaviour might be getting dressed each day. Right now because I have nothing to do, I don't even bother getting out of my pjs. But I think if I did, it would get me more in the mindset of getting something done.
Lastly, probably a more difficult one, I think would be getting a better support network. Getting myself out of this bad relationship where the person discourages me from anything and doesn't let me do anything for myself, only things for him. That would be a big change in being able to ask for support/opinions/etc, having someone who actually wants me to succeed instead of staying beneath him.
@GlenM
A Key System:
A key system that I need to set up in my life is setting boundaries for how much I can help other people. Or at the very least, when. I feel like I often get distracted from my own work helping other people which I don't want to stop, but maybe just schedule it a little better.
3 Behaviours to Implement
I would like to start daily meditation, as I have been increasingly anxious lately.
I would like to set aside time to properly talk to my parents, without any distractions or other things going on, I will move out in a few years and I'd like to make the most of my time with them.
I would like to set up a daily routine of keeping my room and study space organised so I can feel clearer in what I am doing.
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
I think I would like a system for getting through research journals so that I can prepare for my Fulbright project proposal.
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
3 behaviors include printing one journal when I wake up, reading it some time throughout the day, and writing a summary before I go to bed. That way it does not overwhelm me and I have a little freedom and can still succeed.
Systems vs. Goals (Discussion 4)
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
I really like to experience life, cultures, foods, people, etc. In order to have more deep meaning experiences, I would love to travel in the US and outside of the US. Money is needed to do some of the traveling I envision for myself so I would need to save money.
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
Have a certain amount of money take from my paycheck every paycheck. I would need to have that amount directly deposited into a savings account. Out of sight, out of mind.
Open a savings account that is specifically for travel.
Look into programs and credit cards that give money pack, earn flying miles, etc. That would help cut down on the cost of travel.
