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Systems Over Goals: Design A Success Framework That Actually Works

Systems Over Goals: Design A Success Framework That Actually Works

May 17, 2025

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Losers have goals.

Winners have systems.

- SCOTT ADAMS -

Let’s be real—goals sound impressive. They look great on vision boards and make for inspiring Instagram captions. But goals don’t get the work done. Systems do.

As James Clear put it, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” The thing is, most people’s systems were created by default, not on purpose.

They formed out of urgency, survival, habits, or what felt easy in the moment. And while those systems may have gotten you here, they likely won’t take you where you’re trying to go next.

Whether you want to double your closings, stay consistent on writing your notes, or build deeper relationships with your sphere, the answer isn’t just more motivation—it’s a better system.

Try this simple 5-step framework to design a system that actually sticks:

Define what success looks like.
Details matter

Not just “get more listings”—how about: "I want to close three listings per month from my sphere by December.” Clear targets help you know if your system’s working—or just keeping you busy.

Pinpoint the actions that drive results.

Ask: What things, if done consistently, would move the needle?

1 focused hour M-F dedicated to phone calls and text outreach
15 handwritten notes weekly
2 mailbox mailings, 4 digital touches each month

Spoiler: Consistency > intensity.

Create a rhythm.
aka: stop winging it.

Systems love structure. Use time blocks, templates, or automations.

Schedule a “Hour of Power” daily for outreach
Use your CRM for reminders (not your memory)
Pre-schedule content every Friday

Remove the friction.

Make the right choice the easy one.

Keep note cards, stamps, and your favorite pen together
Use Canva templates so you’re not reinventing the wheel every post
Batch your tasks so your brain can breathe

Reflect and adjust weekly.

Even the best system needs tweaks. Check in with yourself every week during your Weekly Planning meeting:

Did I follow it?
What worked?
What felt like dragging a dead horse through molasses?
What did I actively avoid or procrastinate on? What would make it easier to do?
What’s one tweak for next week?

Building systems isn’t about being rigid—it’s about creating flow. When you have a system that matches your style and goals, you start to gain traction without burning out.

So this week, instead of asking yourself “What else do I need to do?”, try asking:
“What system would make success inevitable?”

Then build it. Because goals are good… but great systems will change your life (and your commission checks).

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