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.

When embarking on a journey to change the systems and habits in our lives, one key element stands out: consistency. It's not enough to make a change once and hope for immediate results; we must commit to ongoing effort.

The systems and habits approach to improvement focuses on gradually altering our recurring thoughts and actions over time, rather than expecting sudden transformation. This means that the amount of effort and motivation needed is often less than we initially assume. Instead of relying solely on willpower to achieve something quickly, the key is to consistently take the right steps over an extended period.

During my high school years, I worked at a retail shoe store where I assisted customers in finding their next pair of shoes. Like many jobs, we were given monthly sales goals based on historical performance. These goals were reviewed regularly to ensure everyone understood what was expected of them.

However, I noticed a pattern. The goals seemed to be a recurring theme, with slight variations each month. Despite our best efforts, we found ourselves struggling to meet these targets, leading to a rollercoaster of emotions—celebration when we hit our goals, and blame when we fell short.

Yesterday my daughter was watching a video on Cinderella. It was the classic story, but they added some twists to make it a bit more modern. But the theme was the same.

As I overhead the narrative, I found myself thinking, “I wonder if the stepsisters know they are jerks?”

We all require hope to progress. Hope fuels our belief that things can improve, instills optimism for the future, and transforms struggles into manageable challenges.

I've experienced both sides of this spectrum. In moments of hopelessness, I've felt lethargic, attributing my disappointments to external factors. Conversely, during hopeful times, I've mustered the strength to overcome adversity, refusing to be deterred by setbacks.

Consistency is key when it comes to changing the systems and habits in our lives. Merely doing something once or twice won't yield the desired results. The systems and habits approach to improvement focuses on gradually altering our recurring thoughts and actions over time, rather than expecting sudden transformation overnight.

In this approach, the emphasis is less on effort and motivation than many believe. Rather than relying on willpower to accomplish something once or twice, the real challenge is in consistently taking the right steps over an extended period.

As we journey through life, we often encounter inexplicable events. We may be left wondering why we didn’t get that promotion or why our relationship soured. In moments of confusion, it's tempting to attribute these occurrences to fate or luck, or to rationalize them as karmic retribution for past deeds.

A striking example of this mindset came from a collegiate athlete who attributed his team's late-season struggles to fate. However, after the season ended, it was revealed that some players were engaging in substance abuse before games, unaware of how it affected their performance. Despite this revelation, the players continued to deny responsibility, clinging to the belief that their past successes absolved them of any current failures.

When embarking on a new process at work or in personal development, ensuring simplicity, stickiness, and self-regulation is key to success. These three factors serve as a litmus test for the strength of a system and can highlight potential issues early on.

A system should not be unnecessarily complicated. While life itself is complex, a system should aim to simplify tasks to enhance its chances of success. Starting with a basic structure allows for gradual development and addition of detail over time.

The environment we live in plays a significant role in shaping who we are. This is a common theme in self-improvement literature, emphasizing how our surroundings influence our thoughts and behaviors. Whether overtly or subtly, the people and culture around us impact us deeply.

This concept is not new; parents have long understood the importance of their children's social circles. They know that their kids' friends can have a powerful influence, just as their kids can influence their friends. Despite this, many of us fail to actively assess our own social environments. How often do we consider who we spend our time with? Do we intentionally surround ourselves with positive influences?

Most people dismiss small improvements. Unless it results in an immediate and massive win, they dismiss the small efforts put forth.

But this leaves you vulnerable for stagnation and complacency. You don’t want to put in the effort unless you are guaranteed massive payouts.

The system matters. Because systems carry significant power, they tend to overrule many factors that try to change the system.

Too often, this insight is overlooked. Instead of realizing the might of the system and working strategically to change it, we try to overpower it. We use force when a better approach is to align with the system to create change.

When striving to achieve a new objective, whether at work or in personal life, setting process goals can be a game-changer. These goals can often be the differentiator between success and failure, provided they are set and pursued correctly.

So, what exactly are process goals? Unlike the more common outcome goals that people typically set, process goals focus on specific actions that you identify to help you achieve something. Instead of fixating on the end result, process goals emphasize the journey and the steps you take along the way.

Understanding oneself lies at the core of the systems and habits approach to improvement. To effectively utilize this method, it is crucial to identify and comprehend your own strengths and weaknesses. This process involves leveraging your strengths and addressing your weaknesses, which may sound straightforward. After all, we often assume that we know ourselves well, including our innermost thoughts, actions, and how we felt in various situations.

However, this assumption does not necessarily translate to a deep understanding of ourselves. In reality, we are often biased and may overlook certain aspects of our true selves because we believe we already know them. This tendency is why many people can easily point out the faults of others but struggle to identify their own areas for improvement. This phenomenon creates a blind spot, leading to a misinterpretation of oneself.

We all recognize the importance of willpower in our quest for self-improvement. It's the driving force behind our efforts to get better, to push beyond our limits, and to achieve our goals. Yet, despite our best intentions, many of us struggle to harness this elusive power effectively. Why is it that some people seem to effortlessly achieve success, while others falter in their pursuit of greatness?

The truth is, willpower is a fickle companion. It has a tendency to abandon us when we need it most, often leaving us stranded in the face of life's challenges. But what if I told you that there is a way to work around this limitation? What if I told you that you could achieve your goals without relying solely on willpower?