Stop chasing outcomes. Start engineering them.
Most people set goals. Few stick to them. Even fewer achieve them.
New year’s resolutions, fitness targets, career ambitions, they all start strong. Then life gets busy. Motivation fades. And the goal sits in a notebook, untouched.
It’s not because people are lazy or uncommitted. It’s because they’re relying on the wrong tool.
Goals tell you where you want to go.
Systems get you there.
What’s the Difference Between Goals and Systems?
Let’s keep this simple.
- A goal is a result you want.
- A system is a repeatable process you follow.
Examples:
| Goal | System |
| Run a marathon | Run 5km every weekday morning |
| Lose 10kg | Follow a meal plan and track calories daily |
| Write a book | Write 300 words before breakfast every day |
| Start a side business | Publish 1 blog post per week for 6 months |
| Improve focus | Use the Pomodoro method from 9–11am daily |
Goals are outcome-focused. Systems are process-driven. And when you commit to a process, you don’t need to wait for a result to feel successful. You’re winning every time you run the system.
The Problem With Goals
Most self-help books and productivity content focus on setting “smart goals.” But goals have hidden flaws:
1. They delay satisfaction
You don’t feel successful until you hit the goal.
If you want to lose 10kg, every day before that feels like failure. That kills motivation.
2. They create friction
Goals can feel overwhelming. Big outcomes create pressure. Systems lower the bar by breaking things into daily actions.
3. They ignore how progress actually happens
A goal like “earn $100k online” sounds impressive. But unless it’s paired with a system — like writing content, building an audience, testing products — it’s just a dream.
4. They end
Goals are temporary. Once you hit the target, what then? Many people regress. The system stops because the goal is “done.”
Why Systems Win
Systems solve every one of those problems.
They:
- Shift focus to what you can control today
- Build momentum through action, not motivation
- Reinforce identity over time
- Create long-term habits that stick
With a system, you’re not trying to succeed, you’re already succeeding every time you show up and follow the process.
My Personal Wake-Up Call
Years ago, I set a big fitness goal: “Get in the best shape of my life.”
I did what most people do:
- Joined a gym
- Bought supplements
- Downloaded a training plan
It lasted three weeks.
Motivation dropped. Life got busy. The goal vanished.
The turning point came when I flipped the script. I stopped chasing the end result and started building a system.
- Wake up at 6:30am
- 20-minute bodyweight workout in my living room
- Meal prep every Sunday
- Sleep at 10:30pm, no screens after 10
That system worked. I didn’t think about “results” anymore. I just ran the process.
And over time, the results came. Without chasing them.
Systems Change Who You Are
Here’s what people often miss: systems shape identity.
If you follow a system consistently, you don’t just improve your output, you change the story you tell yourself.
- Run daily? You become a runner.
- Write every morning? You’re a writer.
- Track your tasks and review them weekly? You become someone who’s reliable and in control.
This is where real transformation happens. Not from setting goals, but from building routines that shift how you see yourself.
Change the system → Change your habits → Change your identity.
How to Build Your First System
Start simple. You don’t need a complete life overhaul. Focus on one area: energy, focus, fitness, finances, and build from there.
Here’s a simple 3-step method to start:
1. Choose one outcome you want
Example: Get more focused work done each day.
2. Design the smallest repeatable input
Example: Use the Pomodoro technique (25-minute work sprints) from 9:00 to 11:00 AM, Monday to Friday.
3. Make it easy and obvious
- Set a daily calendar reminder
- Keep your to-do list short
- Track your streak (use a habit tracker or a notebook)
- Remove friction (e.g., block distractions, clear your desk the night before)
Start small. Keep it stupidly simple. Consistency beats intensity.
Try This: The Shutdown Stack
If you’re looking for a system that improves everything, here’s one I recommend:
The Shutdown Stack: A 5-minute evening ritual:
- Write down your top 3 tasks for tomorrow
- Clear your workspace
- Review what worked today and what didn’t
- Plan your shutdown time (e.g. no screens after 9:30 PM)
- Ask: “Did I move the needle today?”
It’s fast. It’s easy. And it helps you win tomorrow before it starts.
Final Thought: Stack Wins, Not Wishes
Goals aren’t bad. They give you direction.
But direction without a vehicle is useless.
Systems are the vehicle. They are how you move forward.
If you’re tired of starting strong and burning out, flip the model. Don’t try harder, design better.
Build the system.
Run the process.
Stack your wins.
Stacked.Systems 