{"id":44,"date":"2020-11-26T15:23:49","date_gmt":"2020-11-26T15:23:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theworthproject.co\/index.php\/2020\/11\/26\/episode-14-how-to-actually-do-the-things-you-want-to-do-the-worth-project\/"},"modified":"2023-11-15T12:13:56","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T12:13:56","slug":"episode-14-how-to-actually-do-the-things-you-want-to-do-the-worth-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theworthproject.co\/index.php\/2020\/11\/26\/episode-14-how-to-actually-do-the-things-you-want-to-do-the-worth-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Episode 14 How to actually do the things you want to do – The Worth Project"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the last photos that we took before moving from Hawaii in 2010.<\/em><\/p>\n

Today on the show, we share the systems that have enabled us to complete some of our life goals, and we are applying it to our business goals. As James Clear says, \u201cYou do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.\u201d<\/p>\n

You can download this episode from\u00a0Apple Podcasts<\/a>,\u00a0Stitcher,\u00a0TuneIn Radio<\/a>, and\u00a0Spotify<\/a> \u2013 or listen to it below! Welcome to the Show Notes! Check out this page for any links, notes, or photos we referenced in the podcast.<\/p>\n

There is an unsexy secret out there about achieving goals and changing your habits. It\u2019s not about willpower. It\u2019s not about how much effort you can put it daily. It\u2019s not going to be found in a listicle article. And it\u2019s definitely not about how smart you are.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s about creating a process that works for you.<\/p>\n

Processes and systems are just about the least sexy thing on the planet. Which is why if you want to save money\/write a book\/get in shape\/whatever your goal may be, you\u2019re going to find a lot of advice that tells you to make these goals S.M.A.R.T: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Then you\u2019re supposed to take this SMART goal and break it down into monthly, weekly, and daily tasks.<\/p>\n

I followed this advice for a long time. It was ingrained in me from school, work, and every single goal-setting self-help book I\u2019ve ever read.<\/p>\n

And though this approach definitely makes sense, it didn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n

If I had a goal that was somewhat short-term, like get three new clients, clean out my closet, or stop eating out for a week, I could use this advice and it would work. I\u2019d prioritize those things, make a real effort to get them done for a few days or weeks, and everything would be great.<\/p>\n

But very few of our big life goals are short term.<\/p>\n

When Jordan and I sat down to think about this podcast episode, we struggled. Jordan, a meticulous note taker, has goals that we set back in February 2016. We spent a weekend at a cute little inn in the English countryside (yes, it was quaint and obscenely charming) and we sat down to really think about what our big life goals were for the next few years.<\/p>\n

He recently dug out this piece of paper from his very well organized file cabinet and we looked at it to see what we actually have achieved. What goals did we set for ourselves that have come true and where have we fallen short.<\/p>\n

We had reached our active lifestyle, healthy eating, and money goals. We\u2019d fallen short on any of my freelance and business goals as well as the goal of keeping in touch with family and friends (which is tricky when you live 5,000 miles away).<\/p>\n

So what gives? We have we been so great at some and so terrible with others?<\/p>\n

Systems have been our secret weapon<\/h2>\n

For all of the goals that we\u2019ve reached, there was one common theme: we created systems that inched us closer and closer to our goals.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d tried for years (and year and years) to eat healthily. I bought the books. I tried (and failed miserably) with a juice cleanse. And I rid our house of every single piece of junk food only to pass by the new Taco Bell that opened near us and pop in to get a crunch wrap supreme one too many times.<\/p>\n

Healthy eating was a priority, but I couldn\u2019t make it stick.<\/p>\n

That is until I created a system around it.<\/p>\n

Now our healthy eating runs like clockwork and I can\u2019t even remember how we lived before. Why were we eating out for every weekend meal (and some during the week)? Why did I struggle to get my greens in? That feels like a lifetime ago.<\/p>\n

Our system includes:<\/p>\n