Imagine that you have an ice cube on a plate in front of you. The room is freezing. So cold that you can see your breath. It is currently twenty degrees Fahrenheit. Slowly the temperature begins to rise.
Twenty‑one degrees.
Twenty‑three.
Twenty‑five.
The ice cube is still sitting on the plate in front of you, and nothing seems to happen.
Twenty‑eight degrees.
Thirty.
Thirty‑two.
Still, nothing noticeable is happening to the ice.
Then, thirty‑three degrees.
Suddenly the ice begins to melt.
A one‑degree shift, seemingly no different from the temperature increases before it, has unlocked a considerable change.
The same pattern can be applied to our own goals in life. Breakthrough moments do not happen overnight. Instead, they are often the result of many previous actions, each building up the potential required to unleash a significant change.
Building Habits That Last
Let’s say you have decided to start jogging to lose 20 pounds. You have been jogging for a month, and although you lost 5 pounds in your first week, since then, the scale hasn’t budged. You hit a plateau. You could view this stall in progress as a major setback, get discouraged, and decide to quit jogging altogether. On the other hand, you could remain committed to your goal, jogging a little farther each day until you see some movement on the scale again.
Setbacks often derail our goals, mainly because we tend to view progress as linear, not as a journey of many ups and downs. When our efforts do not yield noticeable results, they can feel ineffective, causing us to throw in the towel and give up on our goals. However, the hallmark of any compounding process is that effecting change always takes time. Our hard work is not wasted when we don't see results - it is just stored, ready to unlock a significant change at any moment.
When You Have Goals, Concentrate on Systems Instead
So, what determines whether we stick with a habit long enough to survive a setback? How do we set ourselves up to persevere, even in the face of disappointment? Research suggests that the best way to achieve what we want in life – whether it is losing weight or overcoming drug and alcohol addiction – is to set specific, actionable goals. For years, we adhered to this approach, setting goals for the grades we wanted to make in school, the profits we wanted to make in business, and the amount of weight we hoped to lift at the gym. Eventually, we learned that the results had little to do with the goals we set and nearly everything to do with the habits – or systems – we implemented to get us there.
The Difference Between Goals and Systems
Goals are specific, measurable results we strive to achieve. They are the desired
outcomes. Systems are the specific habits, routines and processes that lead us to those results. If you are a student, your goal might be to ace an exam. In that case, your system would be how often you study. It is unlikely you would achieve your goal of a perfect score without even glancing at your study materials. So, does this mean that goals are ultimately useless? Of course, not! Think of a goal as a compass – it is good at providing direction and orientation. If you want better results, check your orientation by reviewing your goals, but concentrate on systems to get you to your destination.
The Limitations of Goal-Setting
New goals do not always deliver new results – new lifestyles do. And, a lifestyle is not an outcome; it is a process made up of tiny incremental habit changes over time. For this reason, your energy should go into building better habits, not achieving better results. It is your commitment to the process that will determine your progress. Bad habits tend to repeat themselves, not because you don’t want to improve your life, but because you have the wrong system in place. You are simply running the wrong program for change.
The Power of Systems in Addiction Recovery
When recovering from drug or alcohol addiction, it is tempting to focus entirely on the desired outcome: achieving lifelong sobriety. Rather than concentrating on that result, it is more effective – and far less overwhelming – to cultivate new, positive habits daily. These habits gradually propel us toward a new, healthier life one day at a time. By making these tiny adjustments to different areas of our lives - such as exercising 30 minutes a day, attending daily recovery support groups, and meditating for 10 minutes every morning - we allow ourselves to build momentum and stay motivated throughout the process. Over time, our efforts are compounded, culminating in sustainable change. Like the ice cube that finally melted after many, incremental degree shifts, our daily habits eventually add up to a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle.
How to Get Help for Drug and Alcohol Addiction in Austin, TX
Ranch House Recovery is a Recovery Center in Austin, TX that provides innovative treatment solutions for men struggling with addiction. If you or your loved one is in need of a drug or alcohol recovery center near you, we are here to help. Our program aims to provide holistic healing and ongoing community support for men hoping to transform their lives and find freedom from drug and alcohol addiction. To find out more about how Ranch House Recovery can help you or your loved one discover lasting recovery, please call us at (512) 661-2049. Our dedicated and compassionate admissions team is available 24/7 to assist you.