If you’re constantly making plans and never following through, this post is for you. Getting from point A to point B isn’t always straightforward. Using the System Method can keep you on track.
The main reason we don’t achieve our goals is our mindset. We give up too early, we make impossible goals, or we just burnout. 90 days is around the time it takes to develop a new habit. Some people say more, some say less. What’s most important to know is that we might not achieve huge goals in 90 days, but we can learn enough new habits in 90 days that will change our entire trajectory.
Follow the next 4 steps to get clarity and a working plan to get to your goals faster.
Step One – Define the Goal
You don’t want to spend too long on this, since most people waste away during the planning phase and never execute.
Executing and taking action are the only things that will get you to achieve your goal.
Clearly outline what it is you want. Be specific, include timeframes, and HOW you want to go about this. Here’s a formula you can use:
Goal + Method + Time Frame
As an example, let’s say you want to lose weight. That’s vague so let’s get specific. Following the formula: I want to lose 10 pounds + by changing my diet + in 2 months.
Even if your goal isn’t “realistic” that shouldn’t stop you. You’ll still do the same steps to achieve your goal, the time frames and methods just might change. Be open to re-writing parts of this first step. The only thing that shouldn’t change is the goal.
If you feel the need to change the goal, you didn’t do a great job selecting one in the first place. Changing our lives is hard, so make sure your goal is what you really want.
Step Two – Create your System.
Just creating a to-do list or task pile will get you burnt out. As time goes by, your exact tasks will change. In order to prevent burnout, you need to create a sustainable routine.
The only thing you can control are your inputs. So, create a system where you dedicate a certain amount of time a day to inputting the work.
Write down your how’s. How will you use the method you described in step one to achieve your goal?
Going back to your example, you could come up with a meal plan. I would only write it a max of 2 weeks in advance, regardless of goal. This is because you’ll likely change your inputs as you get closer to your goal. As you lose weight, you might need to lower your calorie intake to keep losing, for example.
Depending on your goal, you might need to put in a bit more work to create your system. Follow this formula:
Inputs + Time + When
Inputs is where you’ll put the exact actions you’ll take, Time is how much time you want to spend per day/week/etc, and When is specifically which days you’ll do it.
Step Three – Commitment Plan
There will be times where you want to give up. To avoid this, you want to place reminders for yourself about WHY you’re doing this. Place them in spots you look at frequently.
If you don’t have a great reason as to why you’re doing something, the goal was doomed to fail in the first place. If you want something to be a priority, you need to face the discomfort and push ahead anyway.
Don’t wait to feel motivated to do something – have the discipline to feel unmotivated and do it anyway. If your reasons are weak, your resolve will be too.
There’s always an excuse to not do something. Make sure you’re finding reasons why you should instead.
Step Four – Weekly Check-ins
Like we mentioned earlier, you’ll need to constantly adjust your system. The reason why we’re calling it a system and not a to-do list is because we’re committing to the habit of progress. We have a dedicated time to take action and this isn’t happening by accident.
In addition to tweaking your “system inputs” every couple weeks, you should reassess your progress every week or so. This will keep you on track and help you see how far you’ve already come.
Some good things to note for this step are:
Current progress + Current Gap
Your current progress would be where you write what you’ve accomplished so far. What actions have you taken? What are the results of those actions?
The current gap is where you are now versus where you want to be. Has the gap gotten smaller since you started? If yes, then you’re on the right track. If not, you need to change your reevaluate which actions you’re taking.
If you read this, watched the video and are still confused about what to do – don’t worry! I created free worksheets to help you create your own system and use this method effectively. They will guide you through the process outlined in this post.
