Achieving any worthwhile dream requires setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound goals. Goals are essential, but even more important are the systems and habits that make them easier to achieve. As Greek philosopher Aristotle once quipped, “We are what we repeatedly do; excellence is then not an act but a habit.” Your system makes staying consistent and showing up daily easier. As we all know, setting New Year resolutions doesn’t usually work, as most of us don’t follow through. Discipline is staying consistent with your goals even when the motivation has waned out; it is doing things that you necessarily don’t feel like doing. By focusing on the right systems, achieving your goals would be far more manageable. The beginning of any journey is usually smooth; the middle is messy, and attaining the goal is gratifying.

Systems for achieving your goal could come in different forms, such as time scheduling, batching, habit stacking, community goal setting, and using an accountability partner, among other strategies. Here are some ways I have been using these systems to achieve some of my goals.