“A goal is a specific objective that you either achieve or don’t sometime in the future. A system is something you do on a regular basis that increases your odds of happiness in the long run. If you do something every day, it’s a system. If you’re waiting to achieve it someday in the future, it’s a goal.” ~ Scott Adams, How to Fail at Everything and Still Win Big
Getting a boyfriend is a goal. Carving out time in your schedule every Saturday night for a social activity is a system.
Getting a 3.5 GPA is a goal. Going to the library every day from 12pm-2pm to learn as much as you can about your classes is a system.
Losing 15 pounds is a goal. Going to the gym every day for thirty minutes is a system.
Winning a SUNYAC Championship is a goal. Showing up every day with the intent to be the best that you can be is a system.
Sometimes goals are useful. In general, they’re stupid.