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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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?
A goal of mine is to make decisions. I'm not a decisive person at all, and it's proven difficult for me in the workplace and at school. I suppose the system would be to make decisions when needed and don't worry about how others will react. (I think? If anyone has a better one, please post below!)
three behaviors would be to:
- stop shying away from decisions
-know and understand what I want when it comes to the decision
-taking other people's thoughts and feelings into consideration but doing the best thing overall and not feeling bad about it.
@GlenM
Before I respond to the questions, I thought I would offer my opinion on systems and goals itself. Systems are definitely beneficial in the sense that it is more gradual, one would not lose a sense of purpose after the goal is accomplished, and it may also seem easier to accomplish and get in a habit of. However, for me, I do believe that goals are more effective mainly because if I don't have a clear goal, I'll feel kind of lost, and it's also that feeling of accomplishment once we finish the goal. The best solution I would say is to have both at the same time, or even multiple goals at the same time. We can have long term goals, and even multiple ones that overlap as well :) This is what works for me, but it's definitely different for everyone!!
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
As I mentioned above, I do prefer setting goals instead. However, a key system I would like to set up that goals never worked out for me is exercising. I feel like the main issue that goals never helped was that I never feel motivated enough to exercise, especially to wake up early to exercise (to say the least, I am a very not morning person).
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
One behavior I would want to implement is to force myself to get up early perhaps half an hour early every two days until I start waking up more naturally. I would most likely start off with getting out of my chair to go walk my dog more often as well. hmm, there's actually one behavior so far that really got me to exercise more was when I couldn't eat dinner (house rules) until I run 2 miles ahaha, which honestly really got me moving :) I would still like to exercise more though
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
Having a system to set my priorities straight! There's something called the prioritization matrix that helps a lot with this!
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
1. Have a planner to see important dates and tasks.
2. Prioritize based on this prioritization matrix.
3. Have a specific self-care time for myself.
@GlenM
a system i need to set up in my life is to stop being angry and jealous all the time because it's destroying my relationships with people. and 3 things i can do to improve with this system is:
1. to get help by a professional
2. to control my emotions
3. to write my emotions down on a notebook
@GlenM
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
I need to set up a system for myself to read and study more and become more responsible and organized for work.
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
I need to be learn to be more focused. Sometimes I get so distracted I don't complete what I need to do.
I need to work on my social and speaking skills. I sometimes have trouble starting conversations, and I hope to improve on that so I can lead a more fulfilling life.
I also need to learn to be more organized. I'm so messy sometimes that I can't figure out where I put my stuff.
I'm sure I'll be able to work on these!
@ GlenM,
Thanks for sharing this on system building.
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
I discover that system is the habit of doing something continuously either convenient or not in order to sustain a steady output of excellent products.
I think I need to set up system in my relationships, career and finance.
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
First, engaging in paid or volunteer work in the area of my passion and profession to attain outstanding competence
Second, daily reading of journals, books and articles on my area of interest. This also include subscribing to Google alerts on topic of my interest.
Third, determine to take risk or step out of my comfort zone at least once a week by trying new things regularly.
Edit - I participated in this. I think because I just went into shock mode and followed the instructions.
I refused to support Scott Adams and have therefore removed my answers to this discussion.
I am considering withdrawing from the LDP over this.
I do want to go on record that I'm pretty horrified leadership development at 7cups would link to anything Scott Adams does. Shouldn't we at least get a trigger warning for this?
My husband stopped reading DIlbert a long time ago because he felt like it was inappopriate to support him in any way.
I expect more from 7 Cups.
@GlenM My standards for people I have in my life are higher than this - whether I'm going to them for support or not. I'm really disappointed that this was included in the LDP. I feel like you have failed so many people with this discussion.
I'm disappointed by everyone who took part, are aware of who Scott Adams is and kept silent.
@AffyAvo
hi, Affy. we do not support him. that said, we have made changes to this discussion to replace the links to his content. i hope this helps you feel a little better. thank you for pointing this out, and i apologize for the upset.
I think a key system I would like to develop would be my time management skills which branches out to different things such as school and even 7cups! I think to do this, I should start using my planner more and maybe even setting up reminders on my phone so I have a noise/notification pop up to remind me. After these steps, I think leaving my phone somewhere I can't constantly check on it is something I want to get in the habit of, so I would be able to focus better.
@GlenM What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
• I need a better study system.
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
* Making a time table.
* Scheduling breaks.
* Priotatising tasks.
@JessHobson that's a time-table and PRIORATISING tasks...
@JessHobson
It's good to see you want to create a better studying system. How do you believe those 3 behaviors can help you create a better studying system in your opinion?
@Aleks2 I'm rubbish at staying on track so I believe they will keep me personally motivated.
@JessHobson
You have already taken the first step toward your desired system as you have identified the behaviours you need to implement to succeed.
I wish you the best.
With Love
shiningSound31
@shiningSound31 thank you!
@JessHobson
