Goals are for losers. Winners have systems.
ā How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, Scott Adams
An amazing book from a man who walked the walk, not just talked the talk.
But, goals are not exactly for losers.
Why?
Because, no one wakes up thinking about āsystemsā (I guess not even systems engineers).
We crave outcomes. Feelings. The aftertaste.
No one wants the product. Everyone wants what it gives them.
Goals are good for setting a direction, but systems are best for making progress.
āJames Clear.
At our core we all want the same things: peace, love, safety, freedom.
But none of it comes without action.
And action can be done without a system, intentional or not.
The problem?
Most run terrible, outdated, or random systems.
Then they scratch their heads why nothing worked (again).
Hereās one that does.
I am not a systems engineer, but Iāve made systems my whole life intentionally. These systems helped me move faster, make bold decisions that usually worked, and become a better man.
The Systems Machine
Use it whenever you need to design a system or rethink one.
1. Define Your Purpose
This is your Engine. What do you want? Be specific.
Why does this matter to you?
No meaning = No fuel
2. Understand The Result
What results would prove the system is working?
How can you measure your progress?
Use tangible metrics. Be specific.
Life punishes the vague and rewards the specific.
3. Understand The Process
What resources / tools do you already have?
What are the actions per day, week, month you need to do?
Whatās the minimum viable action that keeps the engine running?
4. Reduce Friction
What obstacles do you expect to stop you from acting?
How can you tackle them?
How do you make the action as simple and easy as possible to always start even the days you donāt feel like it?
What signals show you need to pivot, repair, redo?
5. Build For Compounding
How can this system scale or compound over time?
Whatās its smallest version you can sustain?
6. Emergency Protocol
Whatās the fallback if the system fails for a day/week?
How do you restart without shame, burnout, or reset-to-zero?
This works. Prove me wrong.
In any case, thanks for reading.
Lifeward,
PS
If your mind keeps sabotaging your actions, build a Flow Pantheon.
Itās a mental firewall.
A way to block the weak, whining part of your brain and let its warrior part drive and thrive.