So set systems, not goals!
Set routines that will hopefully turn into habits. This will lead you to the path you choose to peruse but will allow you to be committed over a long period instead of only temporarily.
Every New Year, people make New Year’s resolution, but less then 8% actually stick to their new year goals. I have been guilty of it! That is why I won’t make any new year goals for 2021 that won’t have a system connected to it! And you should too!
The year changed and people realized that Corona didn’t go away. Unfortunately 2021 will be very similar to 2020…the biggest difference will be your mindset.
You may be very optimistic and full of energy now, you need to create systems that will carry you on working on your New Year resolutions in March, April or July.
"You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems."
A goal is a result you want to achieve. A system is a process that leads to those results. It’s like saying life is not about the destination, it’s about the journey.
Goals are focuses on the destination,
while systems embrace the joy of the journey.
Many say, “I’ll be happy when ….(fill in the gap)… “. And once they achieve it, they don’t feel as they thought they would. You basically postpone happiness until your next milestone instead of enjoy the ride, trust yourself and your systems. Trust me, I was one in the bunch of people who always had big career and financial goals. I experienced first hand the feeling of achieving them and not feeling as I thought I would feel. You need to fall in love with the process, not with the goal itself.
Many talk about becoming a minimalist. I don’t think it is something you become, achieve and it’s done. It is the mindset and process of small choices everyday that will lead you into a minimalist path where you will spend your resources on the things that brings you joy and be frugal on things that are not important to you.
The purpose to making goals is to win the game. The purpose to setting systems is to continue playing the game. True long term thinking is goalless thinking. It’s the process of endless refinement and improvement. It’s your commitment to the process that will determine your success.
As an example:
Goal: to organize my room
When I finish it I will have an organized room. But it’s temporary. It lasts only until it is all messy again.
Versus
Process: putting things back to its place after I finished using it.
This system will keep my room in order for long periods.
In other words: if we are able to fix the input (=system) the output (=result) will fix itself.
Identify what is essential for you and create systems that gives priority to that.
Therefore it’s important to enjoy the ride and create systems that matches your values and the patch you want your life to take. This way you will enjoy everyday!
As we change and evolve through life, our habits and systems will do too.
In the past years, I have pushed myself hard, prioritizing career growth. During 2019, I started to feel the effects of that in my body. Constant stomach pains, headaches and back pain as I had no time to train. It was hard managing a successful career, having young twin kids and a husband who also worked full time. We also didn’t have any additional support as nanny or maid due to its high cost in Sweden.
While work will still be an important part of my life (as I love the work I do), it won’t be the only aspect I will focus on. In 2021, I will be taking an active effort to take better care of myself and those around me while nourishing my mind, body and soul.
In 2021, I won't make only New Year's resolutions. I will create systems!
I will create systems around the following 7 pillars :
- Eat more whole and ecological food in all meals. Make conscious choices on the food I buy. Support local producers offering sustainable products. Buy ecological food. Cook meals from scratch with fresh ingredients.
- Exercise and meditate daily. Personally, I feel my best when I choose positive and healthy self-care habits in the mornings. I have a post about my ultimate morning routine you can check out.
- Express gratitude daily: My system for this is to have each one (kids and adults) to share their highs and lows of their day during dinner time. This is a great opportunity for talking topics with the kids, encouraging them to actively think about their day, celebrate with them the good moments they had and support them in dealing with the low moments. Before going to bed we pray with the kids and include things we are grateful for that took place in the last 24 hrs.
- Cherish and nurture my friendships: Actively take the time to reach out and genuinely connect. From a phone call to a lunch power walk or a coffee in the city, it all ads up to building connection and make your friends feel you are there for them and vice-versa. This is specially important in these times of isolation we are facing.
- Dedicate intentional time with my kids: Build stronger connection, trust and their self- confidence by being fully present when playing and talking to them. Let them decide what and how we will play. Dedicate time for that instead of rush through it and back on to the chores and work.
- Keep the path of saving and investing 50% of my income every month while keeping my current lifestyle. Due to miss-trust on governments, increase of pension age and my desire to be able to take career brakes without affecting my lifestyle, I have embarked on the journey of creating my “Freedom Fund”. You can read more about the journey, systems I created and steps anyone can take to become financially free in my post: How to be rich.
- Continue developing my skills through reading (I have this app I love that gives you summary of books in writes and audio formats: Blinkist), courses and connecting with talented people on their own field. In 2020 I read 30 books and took several courses (some connected to work and others connected to my hobbies). I want to continue this path during 2021.
“If you surrender your power to choose, you learn to feel helpless. You are giving the power and permission to others to choose for you.”
So, in 2021, choose for yourself. Define your priorities and create systems around your priorities so you can move forward in the path you chose to follow. I am confident you will come further by having systems for 2021 to achieve your New Year’s resolution!
I wish you a prosperous 2021!
Here are some further reading to support your in setting and achieving your New Year's resolutions:
