Systems vs Goals
“The left is goal oriented… conservatives and especially in the Trump world seemed to be systems oriented.”
Core Idea
Goals are specific outcomes you’re trying to achieve. Systems are regular practices that increase your odds of success across many possible outcomes.
Adams argues that goals are for losers; systems are for winners. A goal puts you in a state of continuous failure until you achieve it. A system puts you in a state of continuous success as long as you’re following it.
The Distinction
| Goals | Systems |
|---|---|
| ”Lose 20 pounds" | "Exercise every day" |
| "Get a promotion" | "Develop skills that make you valuable" |
| "Win the election" | "Build a coalition that wins multiple elections" |
| "Get North Korea to denuclearize Tuesday" | "Create conditions where denuclearization becomes inevitable” |
Goals are binary: you either achieve them or you don’t. Systems are continuous: they keep working as long as you maintain them.
Adams on Political Systems
Adams frequently contrasts goal-oriented and systems-oriented political thinking:
“There’s no reason that had to happen Tuesday… because the system is working.”
On North Korea: “Move from mortal enemy to good buddy with a good economy through long-term systems.” The goal-oriented view demands immediate denuclearization. The systems view creates conditions where cooperation becomes inevitable over a 100-year timeframe.
Personal Application
From How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big:
- Don’t diet (goal). Create an eating system you can maintain indefinitely.
- Don’t try to get rich (goal). Build skills and relationships that create opportunities.
- Don’t aim for one specific career (goal). Develop a talent stack that makes you valuable in multiple scenarios.
Why Systems Win
- Resilience: If a goal fails, you’ve failed. If a system fails once, you try again tomorrow.
- Optionality: Systems create multiple paths to success rather than betting on one.
- Psychology: Goals create stress; systems create habits.
- Adaptation: Systems can evolve; goals are fixed.
See Also
- Talent Stack - A system for career success
- Risk Management - Systems for avoiding catastrophe
Source Stats: 690 mentions across 450+ episodes