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
The first step of a key system to approach any certain goal is being truthful and enjoying. Till the time we aren't true to ourselves about the positives and the setbacks, even if we aren't truly enjoying it, it will very soon become a burden without any positive outcome.
The three behaviors necessary according to me are - self motivation, self-belief and contentment.
The first two will keep us moving forward and the happiness will provide the strength to make the first two work.
Thank you for such a thoughtful article and video!
A system for myself is that I want to be more confident doing anything in front of people; it really sucks having to feel nervous and worried that I may make a fool of myself every time when I'm in front of people. :(
3 behaviours:
- I need to maintain a positive mindset and believe that I can be confident communicating with people.
- I should train myself by starting a conversation with strangers and spending more time with people in general; afterall, practise makes perfect.
- I need to pay attention to my body gestures, I have to learn to 'look' confident as well e.g. don't fidget with fingers, take time to express my opinions. Otherwise, people will automatically assume that I'm nervous. It's like acting, looking like that person can also help you "get into" the role.
@GlenM
The key system that I need to set up in my life is to be take care of my physical and mental health more efficiently. Lately, I have been noticing that I am giving a lot of priority to my grad school applications and other activities and not focusing on my eating habits, self-care activities and other healthy steps. I feel too exhausted mentally and physically because of this and would like to change this to feel better from both the aspects.
The 3 behaviors that I can implement to help me gradually grow towards the system are as follows:
1) Focus on my meals and have healthy and home cooked food as much as possible along with a good amount of workout done for at least 6 days of the week.
2) Incorporate deep breathing and meditation practices on a daily basis to take care of my mental and emotional health.
3) Take short self-care breaks and do activities that help me relax and stay away from overwhelming myself with a lot of academic activities.
@GlenM
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
To take a break at times from my academics and practice self-care.
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
Practice gratitude and look at what you have done rather than only at what you need to do
Eat healthy meals
Do meditation
@Sunflower78652
I can relate to burning out from academics. I think we forgot that another stressor in our lives.
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
Being able to communicate effectively and on time
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
*Set deadlines
*Practice
*Utilize my skills and abilities
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed? A key system I need to set up in my life to help me succeed would most definitely be boundaries What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life? Postitivity, Patients and hope
@GlenM to keep track of my school work
1. Set a timer/alarm
2. Keep track of turner in assignments
3. Use a calendar or a planner to keep track of it
@MarissaHope
Planners are so underrated at times. What motivated me to use a planner was pre-med students who planners who were so colorful.
@GlenM
I really liked this post and I think I learned some very useful things. The systems look a lot like what I used to call, short-termed and qualitative goals in my own words. It's nice to have created a cognitive structure about how to plan things systemically to achieve goals and appreciate all of the efforts it takes and be proud of myself for trying.
A key system that I need to set up in my life is to manage my anxiety and insecurities to trust my skills more and appreciate what I have achieved so far.
3 behaviors to help me
- Incorporate healthy habits (like meditating, exercising, eating and sleeping properly).
- Set a schedule to take one step at a time.
- Write down and consider the things that I have achieved to appreciate myself.
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 key system is the keeping me feeling good about life system that helps keep me healthy and emotionally stable.
The 3 behaviors I use to implement the system are
Stretch and exercise in the morning before breakfast
Eat a healthy diet with not too many carbs since carbs give me mood swings.
organize my schedule so I have a reasonable amount of things to accomplish each day with adequate self care.
A system I would like to set up for my self is not focusing on what others say about me, feeling confident in myself and learning new things everyday
Three things I would like to improve on myself is my low self esteem, my weight and my listening
Such a great system to have. Believe in yourself and everything that you are ❤️@kindheartedWords6803
