James Clear argues the case for the primacy of “Systems” over Goals, prompted by a Scott Adam’s claim that goals are for losers.
I prefer Lanny Bassham’s phrase from With Winning Mind, “process is primary”, since the word process emphasizes goal-directed activity (dynamics), while I understand system as denoting a series of interrelated parts (static).
Carol Dweck’s growth Mindset, which focuses on praising effortful behavior rather than goal/outcome to create a growth mindset and cultivate the grit necessary to consistently plod forward, is the internal psychological correlate of this emphasis and accords with Marshall Goldsmith’s emphasis on asking daily “active questions” which focus on effort rather than outcome to spur development.
After the goal is set, let go of it and focus on striving to find and walk the path.