"إذا أردت نتائج أفضل، فانسَ تحديد الأهداف. ركز على نظامك بدلاً من ذلك."

The core idea here is pretty straightforward: instead of obsessing over goals, you should put your energy into developing and refining the systems you use every day. It’s like saying, don’t just dream about running a marathon—commit to a daily training regimen. The idea is that by honing the process, the outcome will take care of itself.

Now, let’s talk about where this comes from. This concept has been popularized by James Clear in his book, "Atomic Habits." His perspective is rooted in the notion that goals are about the results you want to achieve, while systems are about the processes that lead to those results. Goals can often be arbitrary and distant—systems are tangible and present. This shift in focus is about creating habits that support continual progress rather than obsessing over hitting a specific target.

So, let’s look at a real-life example. Think about someone trying to write a novel. If they set a goal to write 300 pages, that’s a daunting task. Every day they sit down to write, that goal can feel so far away. It’s easy to get discouraged. But if they instead commit to writing two pages a day, they’ve focused on the system. Two pages a day is manageable. Over time, this habit will lead to the completion of the novel almost as a byproduct. They’re inching closer to their goal without the pressure of the "big picture" weighing them down every single day.

So, how do you apply this wisdom? Start by looking at what systems you have in place now. Are they consistent and do they align with what you ultimately want to achieve? If your goal is to get fit, don’t just fixate on the number on the scale. Create a system that includes a balanced diet, regular workouts, and maybe a fitness tracker to monitor your daily activity. Make these behaviors habitual. The commitment to your system will yield the results you’re after—even if it takes a bit longer than you’d like.

Imagine this scenario: You’re a student who wants to ace your exams. Instead of just setting the goal to get an “A”, you develop a system. You decide to study for one hour every day, summarize your notes weekly, and do practice exams monthly. At first, it might seem like you’re not making huge strides. People around you might be cramming the night before tests and bragging about it. But you’ve got a sustainable system. Over time, you’re less stressed, you retain information better, and exams aren’t the massive hurdle they used to be. Your consistent system is your secret weapon.

This approach isn’t just about productivity—it’s about peace of mind, too. Goals can sometimes feel like a finish line at a race. You get there, and then what? Systems, on the other hand, are about creating a lifestyle that supports continuous improvement and growth. It’s less about reaching the end and more about the journey you’re on.

So next time you’re tempted to set a big, flashy goal, pause and think about the systems that will get you there. They’re often the unsung heroes of success. Focus on your daily habits, the small wins, the processes that you can control. Over time, the results will follow. You’ll not only achieve your goals—you’ll enjoy a smoother, more fulfilling ride along the way.