On Thinking in Systems

Today, I reflected on the year ahead. I always have goals: exercise more, spend quality time with family, continue learning, save money. Every year, it’s the same ritual. We set ambitious goals. Many times, we fall short. Even with the best-laid plans, success remains elusive.

This year is different. Instead of focusing solely on goals, I’m thinking about the systems that will help me reach them. As a Software Engineer, I work with systems daily—but systems aren’t confined to code. They permeate every aspect of our lives: our work routines, our personal habits, our relationships. They shape our outcomes in ways we often don’t recognize.

This year, I’m applying systems thinking to my personal life. Here’s what I’ve learned about effective systems:

• They provide measurable feedback – You can clearly see whether they’re working
• They incorporate feedback loops – They use results to improve themselves
• They’re easily adjustable – You can optimize them without starting from scratch

Using these principles, I’m building personal systems. Planning beats willpower every time. Here are my guiding principles:

Systems Should Eliminate Bad Choices

It’s exhausting to constantly make the right choice through sheer willpower. A well-designed system removes the need for constant decision-making. Want to eat healthier? Don’t keep junk food at home. Want to exercise more? Pack your gym bag the night before. The best decision is the one you don’t have to make.

Prepare for Difficult Times

Life inevitably throws curveballs. If you have systems in place, tough times become manageable rather than catastrophic. Build an emergency fund automatically. Create redundancies in your workflow. Design your life to be resilient, not just efficient.

Use Systems for Continuous Learning

Learning is challenging when life gets busy. A simple system makes it sustainable. Read one page daily—that’s 365 pages a year. Study for 30 minutes each morning—that’s over 180 hours annually. Small, consistent actions compound into significant results. Keep the system simple enough that you’ll actually follow it.

The beauty of systems thinking is that it shifts focus from outcomes to processes. Instead of fixating on losing 20 pounds, you focus on the system of daily walks and meal planning. Instead of stressing about reading 50 books, you focus on the system of reading before bed each night.

This year, I’m betting on systems over goals. Because while goals give us direction, systems give us progress.