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
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
A system I need to set up in my life is to work more milestones instead of end goals. I have a lot of projects and goals I am working towards currently, and I want to work for the milestones instead of just the goals (e.x. losing 10 pounds, or finishing the project asap.) I think this could help me put 100% into a project, or whatever I'm working on and really ensure that I am doing all I can to make it the best.
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
1. Try to write out all the milestones I need to be able to work my hardest on the project. I think that by only seeing the goal of, I want this, I miss the satisfaction when I can't immediatley achive that "I completed something" rush again. So I think by physically looking at milestones (e.x. losing five pounds, and celebrating that I did something) and seeing them could help instead of just that daunting end goal.
2. Organize my brain a little, or make myself think differently. By that I mean try training my brain to do one thing to help me achieve something everyday. Like if I am working on a 7 cups project, it may be a good idea to write down it's progess, this way (like I said above) I am thinking more about the project, not just I want to finish it.
3. Declutter my physical life. I believe that a organized space can lead to me being really productive. I could weekly clean my room (something I am bad at) so that way, when I am 7 cups, or etc, I can feel more productive knowing everything around me is clean and organized. Hopefully, it can help keep me from being distracted.
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
Mine would be working on improving my mental health, be more focused on important things and reduce distractions, learn more and challenge myself more.
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
Have a more positive outlook on life, rather than being all negative all the time. I'm kinda a realist
Try to procrastinate less, it reduces my progress, I procrastinate a lot and would love to reduce it at a very high rate
Be proud of my achievements, encourage myself more, and learn from both my successes and my failures, and above all love myself.
@GlenM
I have had a long think about this idea of system v goals and I am finding it hard to put into words what I feel about it. I am in two minds.
Goals to me are important, especially long term goals; they give us aim and purpose, drive and determination. Using a method to get there may be called a system?
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.
On 7 Cups we do have lots of goals, or quotas and targets, and sometimes they cause the opposite effect that desired. Instead of driving activity up the messages or chats feel forced and unreal and so they lack the care and support of a good working system. This course is good in highlighting things like this so we can all be aware and work together to be better, stronger and more caring.
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?
I have a lot of systems in my life. Time management, business management, activity management and each one has evolved over the years from education, training courses and life experience. Your example about diet is a good one. Fad dieting will do no good and rebound weight gain is common but put in place a system of healthy meals, smaller portions and relaxation and selfcare and the new diet becomes part of normal everyday life and the goal is achieved.
Listening - One Step At A Time!
Health
Goal: Six Packs
I had a goal of having six-pack abs and did achieve it in the end. To do that, I had to sacrifice a lot. All that hard work and sacrifice went down the drain after 2 months of inactivity.
System: Balanced living
Instead of having 6 packs for a short term, it's more practical to have a 4-pack for a long term. It takes tweaks in nutrition and just enough physical activity. That's a system that can be stuck to
It will take a little of analytical skills, self control and preparation to complete it.
@GlenM
This a nice one as always!
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
> Be able to manage time better with everything going on in my life without feeling overwhelmed
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
> Making a flexible schedule that is practical.
> Being more aware of burning out and taking things slow
> Work on my self confidence
@GlenM
I have many systems I need to put in place but the most important one right now is studying for my exams (I haven't studied since March 😅)
I can get there by:
- Creating a to-do list and allocating time to study (preferably 4 hours)
- Ridding myself of all distractions by putting my phone on DND mode and not going on Youtube 10 mins before study time
- Creating a study timetable so I know what I'm studying each day
- And by actually studying XD
~ Lex ☀️ | Take careo and eat oreos 👋🏿❤️🍪
This was very informative and something I have been struggling with all my life. The Goal and System can seem very similar and often we are told that long term goals is a sure shot at success and we often run behind the idea with the goal in mind but little often work towards in achieving them. The example of loosing weight is very apt of it.
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
Ive always been setting goals be it career or with fitness. So I need to make certain changes or actions to ensure i achieve those goals such as lifestyle changes, reading/ learning more. Ensure that I implement those into my daily life activities so that it doesn't feel mundane tasks.
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
Stopping procrastination
Stop chasing after the goal and to work towards it
Take things as life lessons both good and bad. So that i grow with each experience in life.
@GlenM
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
The key system that i need to set in my life to help me succeed is to to learn how to say no. i have always struggled with this and sometimes had to suffer as a result of this.
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
1. Never put myself in a situation that will make my growth into this new system difficult for me
2. Learn to be firm with with whatever i decide on doing.
3. Being straightforward with any decision that i make.
A system that am currently working on is validating the person feels and making them feel less alone when there going through a breakup. With this the 3 goals I could set up to help with this being more patience, more validating of the feelings, but also to step back and understand what there going through in there life.
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
A key system that I need to set up in my life to succeed is to - set aside time to just read more books.
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
The key behaviours to implement this new system would be:-
1) Set a certain time and routine to read books.
2) Have a reward system for myself when I reach my reading goals.
3) Join a book club.
