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🏁 Why Goals Alone Won’t Get You to the Finish Line

And what James Clear gets right about systems, habits, and real progress.

Author

Selim Uysal
August 21, 2025

Hi friend,

We all know setting goals is important.

But without them, you’re like a runner without a finish line, no direction, no measure of progress.

That’s why clear goals matter. Not just vague wishes like “I want to lose weight” but something specific:

👉 “I want to reach X kg in 3 months.”

For me, running is the perfect example.

When I sign up for the Istanbul Marathon in November last year, I suddenly have everything I need: a distance (42 km), a date, and a purpose. My training plan flows from that one goal.

But here’s the catch: goals are not enough.

As James Clear writes in Atomic Habits:

“You don’t rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

James Clear

The marathon itself motivates me. But it’s the daily system, waking up early, sticking to the training plan, logging the miles, that gets me across the finish line.

So here’s the lesson:

  • 🎯 Goals set your direction.

  • ⚙️ Systems build your momentum.

  • 🔁 Habits carry you to the end.

💡 If you’re chasing a big goal right now, ask yourself: what’s the daily system that will make it inevitable? (Reply to this email!)

👉 Want to build systems that stick?

Check out my free 5-day habit course: books.dailyhabits.blog

Just published a short video about habits and accountabiltiy;

👉 Want to start your own newsletter?

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Thanks for reading and watching. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, I’d be glad to hear from you, reply to the email!

Selim

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