Goals, Systems, And Objectives

Everyone talks about “having Goals” as though it’s the golden ticket: Get clear, write down the end result, work hard at it, and then celebrate when you’ve finally checked it off the list. That’s certainly motivational— at least for a while. James Clear, author of the incredible book ,“Atomic Habits,” turns things upside down and says that goals can actually sabotage us if we begin to worship and idolize them. Have you ever reached a goal and immediately felt lost, or maybe failed, and got crushed? That’s the catch: goals are a finish line, but life isn’t a race with a single end point.

Clear argues that it's the "systems" that get you there--the regular actions, routines, and ways of thinking that run quietly in the background. Systems make progress almost automatic because they shift our attention from "What do I want to accomplish?" to "What do I want to become, every day?" Instead of being addicted to results, you're showing up, again and again, building something that sticks.

But here's where I've found an even better approach: reframing goals as "objectives." To me, objectives are flexible–they have direction, like goals, but don't suffocate you with do-or-die deadlines. They give you a sense of purpose and momentum, but leave room for growth along the way. Objectives live somewhere between the relentless, often overwhelming pull of big goals and the mechanical routine of pure systems. They're more like a compass instead of a finish line--guiding you forward, but letting you adjust as life happens.

The thing that's really dangerous with goals is that they can get you future-obsessed. All your happiness and self-worth get tied up in a result that may take months or years. You grind, you wait, and sometimes you burn out. Systems are far better. They encourage consistency, and consistency will always beat motivation. The only problem? Life can start to feel repetitive, and you might lose touch with why you started in the first place.

Objectives, as a blend, keep things fresh. They give you a North Star without demanding all-or-nothing thinking. You can celebrate progress, adjust course, and keep showing up, all while staying rooted in purpose and not pressure

Steps to Succeed in Anything (Inspired by Tony Robbins):

1.  Know what you want (Be freaking specific)

2. Obsess over it

3. Take MASSIVE action

4. Keep changing approach until effective execution