Ready, System, GOAL!
I have been a freelance employee most of my adult life. One of the hardest parts of being my own boss is managing my time. As a freelancer, I decide my goals, figure out where to spend time and energy, and consistently work on projects without the promise of a regular paycheck.
What works best for me to get any work done, whether it be for my career or my personal life, is to focus on systems.
For example, a few years ago, I suddenly realized that I went from not reading at all to reading several books a year. I didn’t set out to read a specific number of books; I just wanted my mornings to start with some quiet reading time. I gave myself some time in the morning to sit and read with my coffee, and I became a reader.
I learned that, as important as a goal is, it’s the system that continues to accomplish the tasks.
If I want to be physically fit, I can get on a diet and go to the gym until I hit my physical goal. Or I can create a system that allows me to become a fit person.
And when I come up to the question: What do I do next? I can rephrase and ask “what would a person who is athletic/mindful of their body do?”
ACTION: Turn a goal into a system you can follow: Take a moment today to identify one area you want to improve. What small, consistent action can you take to build a system for that goal’s success?
