A New Approach to Goal Setting: How to create systems for success

And just like that, it’s already January. Happy New Year! As the weeks begin to pass, I continue to reflect on my goals for this new year that I set on January first. Did you set goals for yourself in 2021?

While setting goals is essential to building a roadmap for success, I’ve definitely set goals in the past that I’ve realized I forgot all about by March. Have you ever been there? Goals are needed, but why are they so hard to attain? You might believe that you’re lazy or the goals are simply out of reach from the start, but the reality is, many goals are often outcome-based and don’t necessarily have a system or game plan in place that sets you up for success. 

“I want to get in shape.”  

“I want to read more.”

“I want to get better grades.”  

“I want to be more organized.”

Without a system that supports your goals and sets a plan for achieving them, you are setting yourself up for burnout from the start. 

So how do you create a new habit or system to support your goal? I’m sharing five strategies that will help take you from goal setting dreamer to goal crushing achiever. 

Strategy #1 - Clearly State Your Why and the Desired Feelings You are Seeking.  

The first step when setting a goal is to understand your why behind it.  Spend some time reflecting on this often skipped step. If you’re looking to improve your health, think a little deeper. Why do you want to improve your health? Perhaps what you're really looking for is more travel and adventure with your children and grandchildren. Becoming stronger and more active will allow you to enjoy that for many more years to come.  

What feelings are you looking to cultivate in the process?  Maybe you want to feel accomplished, strong, relaxed, or energized. Think through in detail why you are setting this goal for yourself in the first place, and be as descriptive as possible. If you’re unclear why you want to accomplish this goal in particular, it’s unlikely you’ll have the stamina to keep focused when your motivation and discipline begin to wane. 

After you’re crystal clear on your why and you’re certain this is a goal you want to work to accomplish, then we can begin to develop a system that supports you in reaching your goals. These systems should encourage and support the behaviors that forward you to achieving your goals. Think of your system as a game plan: you are less likely to follow through without it. 

Without systems, achieving your goals becomes exponentially more challenging. Set up the proper systems to support the habits necessary for achieving your goal. And remember to try and enjoy the process. 

Strategy #2 - Make It Obvious and Easy OR Invisible and Difficult

When it comes to systems in place around your goals, there are two ways to support them: make your habits associated with your goal obvious and easy OR invisible and difficult. Notice the keyword, or. 

When you’re adding a new habit or routine into your day, try making it obvious and easy. Want to eat healthier? Have ready-to-eat fruits and vegetables ready to go in the fridge for any snacks or meals. Want to learn to play the guitar? Dust it off, pull it out of the closet, and put it next to your couch, so it’s easy to access. 

If your systems better support eliminating an old habit or routine, take an approach that makes those items invisible or difficult to do. If you want to be healthier, don’t allow sweets or your favorite junk foods in your home. Only indulge in treats when you’re out. If you want to watch less TV, remove the TV from your bedroom and unplug other TVs so that it becomes more difficult to access and set up. 

Creating a supportive environment is the best way to set yourself up for success.  

“When scientists analyze people who appear to have tremendous self-control, it turns out those individuals aren’t that different from those who are struggling. Instead, ‘disciplined” people are better at structuring their lives in a way that does not require heroic willpower and self-control. In other words, they spend less time in tempting situations.”

- Atomic Habits by James Clear

Strategy #3 - Habit stacking 

You’ve set your goals. You’ve put systems in place to support them. Now what? Practice habit stacking. Habit stacking is the process of pairing a new habit with another habit already in place and a constant day to day. For example, people who always forget to take their vitamins may try habit stacking daily vitamin intake with brushing their teeth. When they brush their teeth, an action they do every morning already, they pair the new habit of eating their vitamins with it. 

Other easy examples that may benefit your systems and goals could be writing a daily to-do list when you drink your morning cup of coffee each day. You could also set out your gym clothes and sneakers at the foot of your bed at night when you’re getting ready for bed. No excuses for not getting up and at it in the morning. 

Ask yourself when you are most likely to succeed. Most goals don’t give you specific instructions on when or where to act. This can make it a struggle to find the routine in your system and habits. Try pairing new habits with ones you can already count on. 

Strategy #4 - Implementation Plan

This strategy specifically states when and where you’re executing your habits and routines. Studies show that people who say when and where an activity will occur are more likely to follow through with it. “After work on Wednesday, I will go to the gym for the 5:30 pm class with Jane.” You can take it a step further and pre-register for your classes, knowing they will be expecting you.

For example, a student who wants to “get better grades” could approach it this way…

• Their why - It’s important to me to attend a good college that will allow me to pursue a financially stable career in marketing. 

• Their desired feelings  - I want to feel organized, accomplished, and proud of my efforts.  I want to feel excited about my future and the opportunities that are available to me.

• Their system could be - After dinner, I will sit at my desk in the office where it’s quiet and free from distractions. I will focus on school work for 60 minutes before I spend time with my friends or relaxing. At the end of each week, I will review my progress with my teacher to complete the required assignments.  

Your new habits must have a home in your calendar, or it’s just wishful thinking. If nothing changes, then nothing changes. Long-term success comes from your daily habits and behaviors, more so than once in a lifetime significant transformations.    

Strategy #5 - Join a Community or Find an Accountability Partner

We don’t intentionally select our habits and routines when we’re young. Instead, we tend to imitate them from those we spend the most time with. That can be good or bad!

Join a group or community that actively engages in the behaviors you’re trying to adopt. Your desires are their normal, go-to behaviors. Their focus, energy, and motivation will, in turn, help you create the same for yourself. This is called positive peer pressure or reinforcement!

Implementing Goal Setting, Habits, and Systems in Your Life

You have all of the pieces of this puzzle. Now it’s time to put it all together. First things first, understand what feelings you’re seeking, not just what goals you think you should be setting for yourself. Be honest, gain clarity on what you actually want, and dive into your why behind it. Once you manage to achieve that feeling, you’ll be driven to continue seeking it and more likely to keep up those behaviors that got you there.

Utilize scheduling and your calendar to your advantage. Find a time for the behaviors that support your goals, even in your calendar. Write in when you will be going to the gym, what days you need to grocery shop, and other simple actions that can be repeatable over time. Identity your where and when. 

Unfortunately, goal setting can unintentionally cause you to delay your happiness until you achieve your end goal. Goals are linked with future success, while these systems allow you to be happy now and enjoy the process. Don’t lose sight of the beauty of right now. Think of the future but live in the moment.

If your rhythm and routine don’t feel manageable, adjust where needed. Seasons come and go, so your schedule and routine should evolve with your needs. Remember to celebrate progress over perfection and accept the little hiccups that come with the journey. This is life, and distractions will always be present. Think big picture and choose an environment that helps you thrive. 

When you change your perspective and priorities, mountains can move. These little changes can have huge impacts on your goals, your progress, and your success. 

Have other questions about setting goals or implementing systems? Connect with Holly at www.freshhabits.com. 

Also featured on Susquehanna Style Magazine.