In this article we'll show you how reaching a goal has to do more with creating systems than the goal itself. Bonus: Systems can be replicated .
2025 is just around the corner and we can't help the itch and think what we want to achieve or accomplish for next year. With that in mind, we decided it was the perfect time to give you some tips to reach the goals you set for 2025.
We have all heard the characteristics a goal should have. We know they have to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound. That sounds quite detailed and very intelligent. However, no amount of details and thought we put into it when writing our goals is going to get us there. There's a big component missing: Action. Consistent, repeated actions over time.
What do you call something you do over and over again? Exactly, a habit. This means that for you to achieve any goal you set your mind to, you have to create one or more habits to achieve them. You can also think of these habits as systems.
The definition of "Habit"
First of all, we need to accurately define what a habit is so that we can attempt to create a new one.
Simply put, a habit is just a behavior that has been repeated so many times that has become automatic. We all have habits that we have been doing for years and some others that are being created right now.
For more on this matter, you can go and read the book "Atomic Habits" by James Clear. We read the book so you don't have to and these tips were the most valuable pieces of advice in our opinion.
There are 4 tips we want to share with you that will make habits stick and they can be applied to any habit or system you want to create. The 4 steps are: Make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy and make it satisfying. These steps will work in any field whether it's sports, politics, your job, household chores, you name it. The only thing you have to do is to transform this 4 tips into questions.
Let's dive into each one of them:
Tip # 1: Make it obvious
Ask Yourself: How would it be impossible to miss?
This means you need to set up your system in a way where it's absolutely impossible for you to forget what you need to do. It's normal that even if you want to start doing something you might forget it simply because you're not used to it. For example, if you want to start journaling in the morning, leave your journal next to the coffee machine.
Seeing or hearing something related to the habit you're trying to create will automatically remind you of it which will make it harder to forget. It can even give you that gentle push you need to accomplish that for the day.
Tip # 2: Make it attractive
Ask yourself: How can I make this appealing?
There's only so much we can accomplish by sheer willpower and motivation. It can only take us so far. It's good that we recognize that we may not enjoy the whole process of creating a habit but we need to make sure we enjoy at least a part of it.
Want to join more classes at Cargo? Book a coffee date with someone after the class or try to go at the same time as your friends. This will make the experience more enjoyable so that next time that you have to do it, it feels a bit less as an obligation and more like a desire.
Tip # 3: Make it easy
Ask yourself: How can I accomplish this in as little steps as possible?
Marketers and people who optimize web shops know this very well. If a potential customer has to click a million times or go through 6 different pages just to complete a purchase, they wont' buy anything.
Same thing happens with us when creating a habit. If we need to do 6 steps before we actually do what we need to do, our mind will see it as an obstacle. The more obstacle we perceive in our path, the harder it will be to actually start it. So, for this step just remember: Less is more.
Tip # 4: Make it satisfying
Ask yourself: How will I feel once I accomplish this?
This seems similar to tip #2 but for this one we are focusing more on feeling. Ask yourself how will you feel once you accomplish that task for the day. Try to imagine it with as much detail as possible. Visualize yourself with the task already completed, picture where you'd be, what you would feel, even which clothes you'd be wearing.
Visualizing with as much detail as possible will motivate you to go ahead and start because now you know it will feel good once you finish the task. Sometimes it pays off to chase a feeling.
Now it's time for you to get to work.
We've given you some new and shiny tools for your toolbox. Now it's time to put them into practice and see which ones work best for you. It will be trial and error in the beginning but the worst thing that can happen is that you'll get to know yourself a bit better in the process.
We hope this was helpful and it will help you build the new habits you want to keep for next year. If you want to discuss this a bit further or need some brainstorming about your goals, please reach out and we would be more than happy to help.
Cheers to a year full of new habits!
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