The "daily doing" enables the System to Beat any Goal set, all the Time

I recently wrote that "systems in place beat goals, all the time."

That sparked considerable interest and requests to 

say more about this. The key is that goals are a 

"destination" or target in the future. Systems involve 

repeated daily actions to get us there. It's important to 

strive for a future goal, but the secret of success is more 

in the "daily doing" than in the "big dreaming." Read more after the cut.

I’ve recently read biographies of two of America's great 

19th century industrialists, Andrew Carnegie and John 

Rockefeller. They both grew up poor, lacked formal 

education, and yet built colossal empires. They were roundly 

criticized, but each achieved extraordinary success in their 

respective fields. They were the two richest men in the 

world, and they prided themselves on working very little!

Rockefeller often took naps during important Board meetings, 

and went home for lunch and a nap every day. Carnegie rarely 

worked more than three hours a day. 

The key to their amazing success was not hard work, 

brilliance, education or luck. The key is that they were 

each able to develop systems and organizations that created 

enormous wealth.

The same is true today. Bill Gates did not create Microsoft 

by being a brilliant software engineer. He built Microsoft 

by devising systems and partnerships that made his software 

indispensable around the world. Remember his early vision of 

a computer on every desk? Well, look at your desk!

The fact is that too many people are trying to create beauty 

while surrounded by chaos. They are trying to achieve big 

goals, but their energy is exhausted on errands, the crisis 

of the day, or on being busy rather than being productive. 

It’s very hard to achieve great things when you’re "majoring 

in minor things" most of the time!

To create the life you truly want, you need systems that 

automatically carry you toward your ultimate goals. 

You need habits that reflect your values because habits are 

stronger and more reliable than choices. You need routines 

and patterns, friends and traditions that build you up 

rather than wear you out. 

Design your office, your home, your schedule and your 

relationships so they conspire to help you get there! Talk 

with loved ones so they actively support you! Eliminate 

clutter and replace it with equipment, furnishings and tools 

that make you smile, that energize you and keep you focused. 

Design a schedule that includes time for your most important 

daily priorities. 

Systems are the key to extraordinary success!