Course 1, Discussion 4: System vs Goals
Hello Leadership Crew!
Welcome to our 4th discussion in this first course. In today's 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 wouldn't integrate all of these new healthy eating behaviors at once. Instead, you'd 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 it'll be the byproduct of eating healthy.
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.
✒️ 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?
✒️ Please reply to at least 1 of your peers in this thread with encouraging or supportive words!
❗After fulfilling the requirements of this post, please check out the next post here!
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@Hope
I'd like to maintain my bedroom as a sanctuary of calm and peace instead of somewhere I just go to crash at the end of the day. I like it as it is now, but that won't last long. I can't set a goal for this. It's an idea that is ever-changing and evolving. My system would include updating as I saw fit, with new pillows here, a new sound machine there. The only end goal is to keep it that way for the next day. A goal would only mean a momentary change. The system will be much more effective in helping me accomplish my current vision for my room.
I can achieve this by gradually introducing one idea or concept at a time, and observing whether it adds to the peace and calm. I bought a rock fountain thinking that would be nice, and it was only used 3-4 times. I have to maintain a certain amount of discipline with this as well. I can't just go onto Etsy or Amazon and order $400 worth of things I like for my room. Introducing them one at a time allows me to slow down and enjoy the things I have in the present.
@SelfCareMatters Sounds so wonderful! I like the idea of a bedroom being a calm and serene sanctuary after enduring the hustle and noise of outdoors.
@TovaCares76 That’s extremely wonderful
@Hope
✒️ What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
I need to prioritize improving my social life with others and spend my leisurely hours wisely.
✒️ What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
I need to be open-minded, empathetic, and highly organized
@McElysium
that's very important! You got this!
@beautifulworld7890
Loving the encouragement!
@Hope
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
Be more active and when i am feeling lazy to suddenly start doing something. That helps!
What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
To be creative, to talk about my goals to other people and believe in my personal growth!
@beautifulworld7890
Discussing goals with other people seems like a great thing! It can help motivate us to work towards completing them and we can get support from those around us! Any sort of interaction with our goals including both doing them and sharing them/ planning etc etc is a wonderful thing.
@Hope I want to reach 10DK running at a good pace. The way to do that, the system, is to start running regularly.
@Hope
What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
My key system which can help me succeed in life is time management which will make it easier to follow each and every steps.
✒️ What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
To maintain a good time management i have to schedule things and break down the tasks with the time that is required to do more time for the big ones and less tie for the smaller ones
@neverendingShiny7905
Time management is so important! It's a skill I think we all constantly work on perfecting and adapting to our current season of life. I love the idea of breaking down bigger tasks into smaller more manageable ones.
I personally love doing this and also just writing down next to my task how long I think it will take me. This helps me also be more realistic and kinder to myself. For example, if I not down that each task will take 2hrs and I have 5 tasks, then I can understand immediately that getting them all done in one day isn't realistic! So I don't overschedule and become disappointed when I'm unable to finish everything.
I wish you the best with your time management journey! :)
✒️ What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
In my life I would like to work on my fitness. To help me succeed with this I think it would be helpful to organise my time and set regular times to go to the gym
✒️ What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
Being open minded, organised and positive
Heyy @BobbieX, this is such a good system to work on. I hope that you succeed!!
@Hope In my life a key system that I need to set up to help me manage my work routine without making a negative impact on my mental health like burnout. This will help me stay effective and stick to a system rather than setting goals stretching myself thin to achieve that.
The 3 behaviors which I can implement to help me gradually grow the new system in my life are:
1. Setting fake deadlines ahead of real one.
2. Starting lightly to enter flow mode.
3. Seeking improvement over perfectionism.
Improvement over perfectionism is such an important mindset! The various roots of the word perfect have definitions of being "completed", so I always like to think of 'perfect' = 'completed' rather than flawless.
✒️ What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
I have a lot of systems ready to be implemented but I need to work on a system to make them all work together.
✒️ What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
Planning my days instead of just weekly and monthly planning. Setting my priorities and following them. Setting up an alarm when I should go to sleep because I think having a proper sleeping schedule is key to having a balanced system.
Ooh, I love the idea of some sort of 'master system'!
Thank you, I agree!
@Hope
✒️ What is a key system that you need to set up in your life to help you succeed?
Key system to set up: A daily 1% improvement system – tiny, consistent actions that compound over time in your most important area (health, work, learning, etc.).
✒️ What are 3 behaviors you can implement to help you gradually grow that new system in your life?
Start with a 2-minute version (super easy entry point).
Habit stack it onto something you already do every day (coffee → stretch, dinner → reflect).
Track daily streaks + quick weekly review to tweak and stay consistent.
I love habit stacking! Such a useful tool when you want to get things done
Wow, this is brilliant!
✒️ The key system that I need to set up for success is a well-balanced routine of continuous learning (focusing only one at a time or as many as manageable without rushing) and proper rest. For my development, I need to continue learning. For my well-being, I need to give time for doing the things that make me happy like reading a book or watching a good series. I also need to incorporate exercise in my lifestyle and a good diet.
✒️ Know how to manage time and responsibilities. Wake up early to go running every morning. Avoid eating junk foods frequently.
@LouieRose
I really appreciate your insight on building systems rather than just chasing goals. Pacing ourselves is crucial for long-term impact here at 7 Cups. Keep up the great work
@yellowflowersinthedark
Wow..!! This so amazing, I stand by the positive things I have to say here 😊
I really liked your reflection, especially the way u focused on balancing continuous learning with proper rest ❤️. That stood out to me because it’s easy to focus only on productivity and forget about well-being <3
I also think ur plan of managing time better n building habits like running n eating healthier is a great system for long-term growth :) It’s simple but very effective if done consistently.
Overall, ur approach feels very practical n sustainable ╰(*´︶`*)╯ Keep going, you’re on the right track 😊
Thank you so much!! You're all very kind^^
@yellowflowersinthedark
Aww... thank youu <3 So are you 😊
