We all want to be more successful, but most of us set lofty goals only to fall short time and time again.

Why?

Because goals alone aren’t enough.

Success doesn't come from setting goals.

It comes from having the right systems in place to help you achieve them.

There’s a quote I recite every day that has dramatically shifted how I approach success:

This quote flipped a switch in my mind.

Before, I would set goals, work hard for a few days, then lose steam and revert to old habits.

Sound familiar?

It’s because goals are nothing more than aspirations without a system to support them.

Systems, on the other hand, are what keep you moving forward when motivation fades and discipline wavers.

In this article, I’m going to break down how systems—not goals—have helped me become more successful and how they can do the same for you.

You’ll also get a few simple, actionable steps to implement these systems in your life today.

Setting Goals are Actually Holding You Back from Success

We live in a world obsessed with setting goals.

From New Year’s resolutions to five-year plans, we’re bombarded with messages about dreaming big and aiming high.

And don’t get me wrong—setting goals is important.

It gives us direction and something to aim for.

But the problem is, goals are merely the finish line.

What’s missing is the process to get there.

When we rely solely on goals, we tend to fall into one of two traps:

1. Overwhelm: Big goals feel impossible because there’s no clear path to achieve them.
2. Frustration: Even when we work hard, if we don’t see immediate results, we lose motivation and give up.

This is why most people fail to reach their goals.

They don’t have systems in place to guide them through the day-to-day grind.

Systems are what keep us moving when things get tough, when distractions arise, and when we don’t feel like working.

Goals may give you a sense of purpose, but systems are what create results.

SMART Goals Are Stupid

Think back to the last goal you set.

Maybe you wanted to lose weight, get a promotion, or start a new hobby.

You were pumped at first, maybe even crushing it for a week or two.

Then life got in the way.

You got busy, tired, distracted.

You started missing workouts, slipping on your diet, or letting work pile up.

Before you knew it, the goal you were so fired up about was nothing more than a distant memory.

What happened?

You didn’t fail because you lacked ambition or willpower.

You failed because you didn’t have a system to keep you on track.

We all fall into this trap because we’ve been conditioned to think that goals are the answer to everything.

But here's the truth.

Your life is a reflection of your habits, routines, and systems—not your dreams.

If you want to become more successful, you need to stop focusing so much on the end result and start focusing on building systems that work for you.

Smart Systems Are the Solution

The solution lies in a shift in mindset.

Instead of relying on motivation and willpower to achieve your goals, you need to build systems that make success inevitable.

One of the best ways I’ve found to do this is through checklists.

If you haven’t read The Checklist Manifesto by Dr. Atul Gawande, I highly recommend it.

The book highlights how even in high-stakes environments like surgery, simple checklists can dramatically improve outcomes.

The same principle applies to your life.

By creating systems and routines through checklists, you can take the guesswork out of achieving your goals and make progress even when motivation is low.

Here’s how I’ve implemented this in my life and how it’s helped me stay on track:

1. Daily Checklists: I have a checklist for my morning routine and one for my evening routine. This might sound rigid, but it’s actually freeing. When I wake up, I don’t have to think about what needs to be done—I just follow the list. My morning checklist includes tasks like reviewing my goals, writing in my journal, and doing a quick workout. My evening checklist ensures I wind down properly, prepare for the next day, and get quality sleep.
2. Weekly Reviews: Every Sunday, I sit down and do a weekly review. This is where I reflect on the past week and plan for the week ahead. I review my progress, note what went well, and identify areas for improvement. This simple practice has been a game-changer for me. It keeps me focused and ensures I’m always moving forward, even when progress feels slow.
3. Quarterly and Annual Reviews: At the end of each quarter and year, I take things a step further. I review my long-term goals, assess my progress, and make adjustments. I also reflect on my dreams and what I want out of life. This keeps me aligned with my vision and ensures that I’m not just spinning my wheels but actually moving toward something meaningful.

Why Systems Work

The reason systems work so well is because they turn your aspirations into habits.

You don’t have to rely on fleeting bursts of motivation.

Instead, you build routines that become second nature.

Over time, these small actions compound, leading to massive results.

Think about it like this: When you’re flying a plane, the autopilot system makes micro-adjustments constantly to keep the plane on course.

Without that system, even being off by just a few degrees can take you hundreds of miles away from your intended destination.

In the same way, your daily and weekly systems make those micro-adjustments in your life, keeping you on course even when things get tough or distractions arise.

Systems also help you manage the mundane tasks that often derail us.

When you have a system in place, you don’t waste mental energy figuring out what to do next.

You don’t have to rely on willpower or memory.

Instead, you have a roadmap to follow, which frees up your mental bandwidth for bigger, more important decisions.

How You Can Apply This Today:

You don’t need an elaborate system to get started.

In fact, the simpler your system, the better.

Here’s a basic framework you can use to start building systems that support your success:

1. Create a Daily Checklist: Start small. Write down the top three to five things you want to accomplish every morning and evening. Your morning list might include things like reviewing your goals, journaling, and a quick workout. Your evening list could include tasks like reflecting on your day and preparing for tomorrow.
2. Weekly Review: Set aside 30 minutes every week to review your progress. Ask yourself: What went well? What didn’t? How can I improve next week? This simple reflection process will keep you accountable and focused on your goals.
3. Quarterly Review: Every three months, step back and review your big-picture goals. Are you on track? Do you need to adjust anything? What new habits or systems do you need to build?
4. Use Tools: I use Obsidian.md as my note-taking and Zettelkasten system for organizing my thoughts and ideas. Find a tool or app that works for you and makes it easy to track your progress.

Remember, the key is consistency.

Systems work because they create habits that stick.

They take the randomness out of life and replace it with structure and progress.

As you build and refine your systems, you’ll start to see how much easier it becomes to hit your goals and create lasting success.

We All Have 24 Hours, It's What You Do With Them That Makes the Difference

If you’ve been struggling to achieve your goals, it’s time to stop relying on motivation alone.

Motivation is fleeting.

Systems are lasting.

As you move forward, remember the quote I shared at the beginning:

Make it a part of your daily routine.

Let it guide you toward building systems that support your success.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your life to the next level, having the right systems in place will make all the difference.

Start today.

Build your checklists.

Do your reviews.

Adjust as needed.

And watch as success becomes less of a dream and more of an everyday reality.