Using systems to improve isn’t magic
Scott Miker
I’ve read a lot of books about using systems and habits to improve and accomplish goals. As I read, sometimes it seems to be presented in a way where it seems like we just found out about some magic tactic.
It almost seems like success in anything is suddenly guaranteed. All we have to do is follow the system. But it’s more complicated than that.
The systems and habits approach to improvement is a great way to improve your self, your company, your team etc. It gives us a framework to work within and emphasizes certain elements that we leverage for greater success.
But that doesn’t somehow make our craziest dreams about success suddenly appear. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the world of sports.
There are many coaches and players that utilize the systems principles. They understand how to improve and how to rewire our behaviors. They develop reflexive recall so they go through the right steps throughout the game.
But in life there are so many variables to success. If your goal is to lose 5 pounds, you are much more likely to reach that goal than if your goal is to become president of the United States. It doesn’t matter what approach to improvement you utilize.
Just because you create the right habits and systems to improve, doesn’t mean that all of the other factors go away. Many times you are still competing against others. If others are working just as hard and doing just as much and you are competing against them, then it isn’t just a matter of looking systematically at your improvement program.
This isn’t to say that it isn’t worth it to use the systems and habits approach to improvement to chase our wildest dreams and goals. It will still get you moving in the right direction and help you overcome obstacles that stand in the way.
So as you start to work on improving some aspect of your life, make sure you don’t get cocky and assume success is guaranteed. In sports we see this often when an underdog shows up to play and beats the team everyone thought was better. Instead remain humble and just keep working and improving.