The #1 Mistake in Goal-Setting (And How to Fix It) [WRAP 166]

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I've been thinking a lot about goals and systems lately. Especially as we're heading into spring, it's the perfect time to reassess how we approach our ambitions and daily work.

💡 One Big Idea: The Goal-Setting Trap

Most of us have been taught to set big, ambitious goals.
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​"Get 100,000 YouTube subscribers!"
"Write a bestselling book!"
"Launch a six-figure course!"

These sound exciting. They look great on vision boards. But here's the problem: big goals often lead to disappointment and burnout. Why? Because they focus on outcomes we can't directly control, instead of the systems and habits that actually create success.

I learned this lesson the hard way with my YouTube channel. Initially, I set subscriber goals and view count targets. But I found myself rushing videos, cutting corners on quality just to hit arbitrary publishing deadlines. The results? Mediocre content and frustrated, disinterested viewers (though obviously not you, Reader 😉

Everything changed when I shifted my focus from outcomes to systems. Instead of obsessing over subscriber counts, I committed to spending 8 quality hours per week on video creation. This system-first approach means:

• Better research and scripting
• More thoughtful editing
• Time for creativity and experimentation
• Consistent, sustainable progress

The Power of Systems Over Goals

Here's how to make this shift in your own work:

• Instead of: "I want 10,000 newsletter subscribers"
  Focus on: "I write one valuable newsletter every Thursday"
• Instead of: "I want to be a successful creator"
  Focus on: "I spend 2 hours each morning creating content"
• Instead of: "I want to build a six-figure business"
  Focus on: "I help three people solve their problems every day"

The magic happens when you align your identity with these systems. You're not someone who wants to get in shape—you're an active person who moves their body daily. You're not trying to become more organized—you're someone who maintains order in their life through simple daily habits.

Using this, you can reframe your goals as systems by saying:

• You're not trying to learn a language—you're a language learner who practices for 15 minutes each morning.
• You're not trying to become a reader—you're someone who reads a chapter before bed every night.
• You're not trying to be more mindful—you're someone who starts each day with 5 minutes of breathing and clearing your thoughts.

Remember: Goals create pressure; systems create progress.

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👀 Video to Watch: The Power of Analog Tools

Speaking of systems, I just released a new video about why using a notebook instead of your phone can dramatically improve your focus and productivity. This connects directly to our discussion about systems—when you remove digital distractions and create space for deep work, you naturally make better progress toward your goals.

​Watch the video here or click the preview below:

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📖 Framework to Try: The G.A.P. Method

If you're ready to start building better systems, try my G.A.P. Method:

Goals: Define what you want to accomplish
​Actions: Break it down into daily tasks (actions)
​Protection: Block time in your calendar for these actions

This framework bridges the gap between big aspirations and daily actions. It's not about abandoning goals entirely—it's about creating the conditions that make achieving them inevitable. I have a short video about it here.

Have a great weekend,

Matt Ragland

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