Many authors today argue that we should constantly push ourselves. They argue that if we aren’t sacrificing everything for our goals, then we aren’t trying.

But this is nonsense. The effort approach to improvement has its place but is no way the only way to achieve. In fact, it isn’t even the best way to succeed. 

One theme throughout the Tao Te Ching is the idea that the sage avoids extremes. This often-overlooked wisdom is something that I have observed getting more and more obscure in today’s world.

Instead of accepting the world as it is and working within ourselves to discover success and happiness, we are constantly looking externally. When things don’t go as planned, we find someone else to blame. If we don’t live the life we desire, we crave massive amounts of money so we can change our lot in life.

In the world of systems thinking, there’s a concept known as the systems thinking iceberg. This model illustrates how the deeper layers of a system often go unnoticed. The iceberg analogy is intentional—only 10% of an iceberg is visible above the surface, while the remaining 90% lies hidden beneath.

Similarly, in our daily lives, we tend to focus only on surface-level events. We form opinions based on what we see, rarely diving deeper to uncover the true underlying structures and beliefs shaping our reality. However, when we train ourselves to look beyond the obvious, we gain powerful insights.

As we journey through life, we often encounter inexplicable events that make us question our path. Why didn’t we get that promotion? Why did our relationship falter? In moments like these, it’s tempting to chalk up our disappointments to fate, luck, or karma.

But what if the answer lies closer to home?

When most people think of compound interest, they picture their savings growing exponentially in a bank account. It’s a simple concept: the interest you earn starts earning interest of its own, creating a snowball effect over time. But what if we applied the same principle to our habits?

The truth is, just like compound interest can turn a small initial deposit into a fortune, small daily habits can lead to massive transformations in our lives.

When building a new process—whether at work or in personal development—it’s crucial to ask: Is the system simple, sticky, and self-regulating? These three criteria act as a litmus test for creating systems that work and endure over time.

Habits are the engine behind nearly everything we do. Psychologists estimate that up to 95% of our actions are habitual—automatic routines that free up mental energy for other tasks. But beyond saving time in the moment, habits have another superpower: they leverage time itself to create remarkable transformations.

The power of habits lies in their consistency. A single small action, repeated daily, compounds over weeks, months, and years. Flossing your teeth for two minutes each night doesn’t seem monumental today, but over time, it prevents costly dental issues. Similarly, setting aside just $10 a week can grow into a significant amount when time does its work.

All animals, including humans, rely on habit to navigate their daily lives. Our brains are wired to help us flow through repetitive activities without constant conscious direction. This reliance on habit isn’t just a convenience; it’s a survival mechanism.

Think about brushing your teeth or driving your car. These actions are powered more by habitual movements than conscious thought. When the traffic light turns green, we naturally lift our foot off the brake and apply it to the gas pedal. Similarly, when the light turns yellow and then red, we instinctively slow the vehicle to a stop. These are not accidental behaviors or strange phenomena—they’re habits deeply embedded in our brains.

Big goals can feel overwhelming. Whether you want to lose weight, write a book, or build a business, it’s easy to get stuck thinking about how far you have to go. That sense of overwhelm often paralyzes us, keeping us from taking any action at all.

But here’s the secret: you don’t have to tackle the entire mountain all at once. Change happens one small step at a time. And when you use systems thinking, those small steps become the foundation for big, meaningful results.

It’s tempting to aim for perfection in everything we do. We want the perfect job, the perfect fitness routine, the perfect life. But this obsession with perfection often stops us from making any real progress. We get stuck planning, tweaking, and hesitating, waiting for the “perfect moment” to take action.

The truth is, perfection is a myth. Life isn’t a straight line, and success isn’t about flawlessly executing a master plan. It’s about consistent progress—small, steady steps that move you closer to your goals. And the best way to make progress is to create systems that work for you.

Life often feels like a never-ending to-do list. There’s always another milestone to hit, another goal to chase, another hurdle to overcome. Many of us believe that if we can just check off that next box—whether it’s a promotion, a financial target, or some other marker of success—we’ll finally feel at peace.

But here’s the truth: chasing “someday” rarely leads to satisfaction. That’s because fulfillment isn’t something you stumble upon in the future. It’s something you create, here and now, with the systems you build into your daily life.

Sheryl Sandberg’s quote, “Done is better than perfect,” carries a powerful truth for anyone striving to improve. Too often, we fall into the trap of perfectionism—endlessly tweaking, polishing, and revising in pursuit of an ideal that doesn’t exist. While it’s good to aim high, perfectionism can often become a roadblock, preventing us from taking action and making real progress.

Winston Churchill expressed a similar idea when he said, “Perfection is the enemy of progress.” These words remind us that the pursuit of perfection can stifle growth, keep us stuck in analysis paralysis, and hold us back from achieving meaningful results.

When it comes to self-improvement, many people focus solely on motivation or willpower. While those can be helpful in the short term, they often fade over time, leaving us frustrated and feeling like we've failed. Instead, there's a more sustainable approach to creating effective habits: using systems.

A system is simply a set of processes designed to achieve a desired result. When it comes to habit-building, systems allow you to focus on consistent actions rather than unpredictable bursts of effort. By designing systems that support your goals, you take the pressure off your willpower and create an environment where good habits can thrive.

When it comes to personal improvement, many people rely on sheer willpower and motivation to achieve their goals. While these strategies might work in the short term, they often lead to burnout and frustration when the excitement fades or life throws a curveball. But there is a more sustainable and effective approach: building habits through systems thinking.

One of the more popular pages on my website covers the idea that everything is a system. I find that people often stumble on this concept at some point. It might be that a systems thinker tipped them off. Or, more commonly, it is that the individual put the pieces together to come to this realization.

It usually starts as an idea when they start to see patterns emerge and then the underlying structures that determine those patterns. As they pull themselves out of the weeds to see a high-level view of existence, they realize that everything is a system.