How To Create Systems in Your Life

Summary

The speaker shares their journey from a goal-oriented mindset to a systems-oriented one, highlighting the importance of daily habits over mere aspirations. They recount past failures and explain how adopting systems led to success in their career and fitness. The video advocates for creating actionable daily steps that lead to long-term goals, such as becoming a software engineer at Fortune 500 companies and developing a good physique. The speaker also shares their personal systems for achieving goals and encourages viewers to build their own systems for success.

Takeaways

• 🎯 The speaker used to be very goal-oriented but found that they rarely achieved their goals.
• 🔄 After years of failure, they concluded that focusing solely on goals is not the best advice and that systems are key.
• 🛠️ A system is a collection of processes and habits that lead to the accomplishment of goals.
• 🚀 Shifting from a goal-oriented to a systems-oriented mindset led to a significant improvement in the speaker's life.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The speaker went from being an academic failure to working as a software engineer at Fortune 500 companies.
• 📈 Systems provide actionable steps and a clear path to achieve goals, unlike goals which are just end destinations.
• 🍽️ For example, to lose weight, a systems-oriented person would focus on implementing a diet and exercise plan rather than just thinking about losing weight.
• 📚 The speaker emphasizes the importance of daily actions and consistency provided by systems over the sporadic joy of achieving a goal.
• 🌱 The speaker created systems for their health, work, and YouTube channel, which helped them achieve their goals.
• 🤔 To create a system, research and emulate the habits and behaviors of people who have already achieved similar goals.
• 🧱 A strong foundation of personal habits is necessary for a system to work effectively.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial approach to goal setting?

The speaker initially set various goals such as getting straight A's, having a certain type of job, and achieving a great physique. They were obsessed with goals and focused on them constantly, as influenced by motivational media.

Why did the speaker struggle to achieve their goals in the past?

The speaker struggled because they only focused on the outcome of goals without having a clear process or system in place to achieve them. This led to a lack of actionable steps and consistent progress.

What is the key difference between goals and systems according to the speaker?

Goals are desires for change, while systems are the collection of processes and habits that actually lead to achieving those goals. Systems provide actionable steps and a clear path towards the goals.

How did the speaker's life change after adopting a systems-oriented approach?

After shifting to a systems-oriented approach, the speaker went from academic failure to becoming a software engineer at Fortune 500 companies. They also developed healthy habits like reading, exercising, and training in martial arts consistently.

What is an example of a system the speaker implemented for personal development?

The speaker implemented a system that included training four times a week, eating three protein-rich meals a day, and going to bed early to ensure proper rest for workouts. This system was designed to help achieve a good physique.

Why are systems more effective for long-term success than goals alone?

Systems are more effective because they provide daily actionable steps and a clear path towards the goal. They also offer consistent positive reinforcement through daily achievements, making it easier to stick to the process long-term.

How does the speaker suggest creating a system for achieving goals?

The speaker suggests creating a system by researching and emulating the habits and behaviors of people who have already achieved similar goals. This involves understanding what activities, mindset, and routines they follow.

What is the importance of having a strong foundation before implementing a system?

A strong foundation, such as overcoming addictions, managing time effectively, and having a healthy self-image, is crucial because it provides the necessary building blocks for a system to work effectively.

How does the speaker describe the feeling of being systems-oriented versus goal-oriented?

The speaker describes the systems-oriented approach as providing daily pleasure and a sense of accomplishment, whereas the goal-oriented approach only offers a fleeting sense of pleasure upon achieving the goal after potentially long periods of struggle.

What is the speaker's advice for someone looking to improve their life through systems?

The speaker advises identifying a role model who has achieved the desired goal, researching their habits and routines, and then creating a system that incorporates these behaviors while allowing for personal adaptation.