Why Goals Hold You Back (and what to do instead).
Here's a smarter way to step into 2025
New Year’s resolutions are often a setup for frustration.
You might start January with excitement and big plans, but by mid-month, life gets busy and motivation fades. Those goals start to feel more like burdens than opportunities. The problem isn’t you—it’s how we’ve been taught to approach goals.
Here’s where goals go wrong:
Goals delay fulfillment. They teach us to believe, “I’ll feel successful and happy when I achieve this.” That mindset keeps us stuck in a state of constant dissatisfaction with our current reality.
Goals feel forced. Often, they rely on sheer willpower to push through, which can leave you drained and discouraged.
Goals are static. They focus on an outcome rather than the process, which can make it harder to adapt to changes in life.
What if there was a better way to create momentum and progress—without the pressure and frustration of traditional goal-setting?
Instead of setting goals, focus on building a system.
A system is a habit or routine that nudges you toward a desired outcome—effortlessly, over time. Unlike goals, systems focus on the process rather than the end result, and they prioritize consistency over perfection.
Systems work because:
They create fulfillment now. Systems focus on the joy of the process, not just the satisfaction of the result.
They conserve willpower. When a habit becomes part of your routine, it requires less energy to maintain.
They focus on progress. Even small, consistent steps add up to significant change over time.
For example, instead of saying, “I want to read 30 books this year,” a system might be, “I’ll read for 10 minutes before bed.”
Instead of saying, “I want to get healthier,” your system could be, “I’ll move my body for 20 minutes each morning.”
How to Build a System That Works
Here’s how you can replace your goals with systems that set you up for success in 2025:
Identify Your Why
Start by asking yourself why a particular goal matters to you.
Drill down deeper and deeper until you uncover your core motivation. For example, if your goal is to exercise more, ask yourself, “Why?” Maybe it’s to feel more energized, improve your mental health, or be active with your grandkids someday.
Knowing your “why” gives your system purpose and keeps you motivated when life gets busy.
Find Your Keystone Habit
A keystone habit is a small action that triggers a positive chain reaction in your life.
Ask yourself, “What’s one thing I can do that will make everything else easier?” For example, if you want to improve your health, a keystone habit might be preparing your meals for the week on Sundays.
The key is to focus on the one habit that will have an outsized impact on your life.
Revise and Refine Regularly
The truth is, you won’t be perfect with your system immediately.
Resist the urge to label yourself a “failure” or “undisciplined” or “lazy”. Instead, take it as a sign that your system needs to be adjusted. For example, if you’ve committed to journaling daily, but it feels unsustainable, adjust your system to journaling three times a week instead.
Consistency is more important than perfection.
Friend, this year can be different.
You don’t have to chase big, intimidating goals or pressure yourself to transform overnight. Instead, focus on creating simple, sustainable systems that work for you.
As you step into 2025, I encourage you to:
Reflect on your wins from the past year.
Identify one area of your life where you want to build momentum.
Commit to one small, consistent habit that will help you grow.
This week, take five minutes to write down one system you’d like to build in 2025. Start small, stay consistent, and celebrate every step forward.
Warmly,
Mike Foster
P.S. Want to know the most powerful keystone habit you can implement in your life?
Creating a system to answer your Primal Question with a “yes” every day.
By practicing this type of self-leadership you will avoid the Scramble and feel grounded in 2025. Want to learn how to do this? Take the Primal Question Assessment to get started!