Let's Make Like a Tree...
we'll slowly grow strong and steady,
while helping others around us to grow, too!
Welcome to the final step of the Aiming Up Systems Planner series, where we’ve been crafting daily rhythms to bring you regular “Trips to the Podium,” inspired by Scott Adams’ philosophy in How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big. Last week, in Change the Rules, Hack the System, you scaled your system(s)—perhaps boosting jogging to 20 minutes, prepping meals twice weekly, or adding time to skill practice—using strategic adjustments to amplify your wins with progress you've made or limitations you've discovered. You’ve been tracking your progress and celebrating those podium moments over the past month.
Now, in Step 5: Keep Growing, we’ll reflect on your system(s)’ impact, plan your next moves, and set a revisit schedule to ensure your rhythms evolve forever. We started with the idea that “goals are for losers” to shift focus from the “always failing” trap of goals and introduced the power of systems. But let’s be clear: having goals is normal and healthy as they give us direction. The 5 Whys wasn’t about negating your goals but understanding their deeper motivations and the true outcomes you seek, like stronger connections or personal growth. This process ensures your everyday energies align with those outcomes, not just the initial outputs you hoped for. You might achieve those outputs (e.g., running a 5K), but more importantly, you’ll address the outcomes that you've determined are what actually matter. If you’ve built multiple systems for multiple goals, this is an opportunity to reflect on each to keep the podium streak alive. Let’s solidify your journey and keep aiming up!
Why Keeping Growing Sustains Your Podium Streak
Goals can fade once reached, trapping you in a cycle of starting over, but systems grow with you. Scott Adams points out that consistent, adaptable actions compound into a lifetime of success, and reflection keeps that momentum going. Keeping growing ensures:
- Lasting Impact: Reflection reveals how your systems deliver on your outcomes.
- Forward Momentum: Next steps build on your wins, aligning with your deeper “why."
- Continuous Evolution: Revisited schedules keep your system fresh and outcome-focused. You may stop or change an activity, while the outcome can still be pursued.
- Personal Growth: Notes capture your journey’s lessons.
By keeping growing, you’ll turn daily podium moments into a lifelong rhythm of success tied to your true motivations.
Step 5: Keep Your System Growing
This step is about looking back to move forward, ensuring your system(s) stay vibrant and outcome-driven. You’ll:
- Reflect on Impact: Assess what your system has achieved (e.g., “Jogging boosts energy and family bonding”).
- Plan Next Steps: Decide what’s next (e.g., continue, modify to a 5K goal, or add a new action).
- Set a Revisit Schedule: Choose when to review your system (e.g., September 2025).
- Add Notes: Jot down insights or ideas for the future.
If you have three systems—for example, jogging for a 5K, meal prep for weight loss, and skill practice for a promotion—you’ll reflect on each one. Maybe jogging improved stamina and connection, meal prep enhanced health, or skill practice boosted confidence. This is your chance to plan for ongoing growth aligned with your outcomes.
Your Complete Planner
The journey ends here with the full Aiming Up Systems Planner, the completed workbook combining all steps. It includes:
Step 1: Uncover Your Why– Your 5 Whys and themes, uncovering your motivations.
Step 2: Create a System– Your vision and daily actions to support those outcomes.
Step 3: Refine Your System– Your feedback and tweaks to align energies.
Step 4: Scale for Long-Term Success– Your scaling plans and tracker to amplify results.
Step 5: Keep Growing– Reflection, next steps, revisit, and notes to sustain outcomes.
Download the PDF of the Entire Planner
Download the PDF: Aiming Up Systems Planner PDF. Print it to record your work, or use it digitally. Download it now and start reflecting!
In the PDF the newly added Step 5: Keep Growing includes:
- Reflect on Impact Prompt: Note your system’s effect on your outcomes (e.g., “Jogging boosts energy and family bonding”).
- Next Steps Prompt: Plan your future, tied to your “why” (e.g., “Train for a 5K to enhance connection”).
- Revisit Schedule Prompt: Set a review date (e.g., “September 20, 2025”).
- Notes Prompt: Record insights (e.g., “Explore group runs for more bonding”)
- Instructions: Write your reflection in the PDF or a notebook. If reflecting on your systems, repeat for each. Set a revisit reminder.
How to Keep Your System Growing
Reflection and planning ensure your system(s) evolve to meet your true outcomes. Here’s how to do it:
- Reflect on Impact: Review your Step 4 tracker. Has jogging improved health and relationships? Has meal prep enhanced well-being? These are your outcome victories.
- Plan Next Steps: Decide to continue, modify (e.g., aim for a 5K), or add (e.g., a new skill). Keep it aligned with your deeper motivations.
- Set a Revisit Schedule: Pick a date to review—three months (September 2025) is a good start.
- Add Notes: Capture lessons or ideas to revisit, ensuring your system serves your outcomes.
For example, if your jogging system has scaled:
Reflect: “Jogging 20 minutes boosts energy and family bonding.”
Next Steps: “Train for a 5K to deepen connection.”
Revisit: “September 20, 2025.”
Notes: “Maybe joining a running group would facilitate more social outcomes.”
If you have multiple systems, apply this to each. Use the PDF page for jogging, a notebook for meal prep, and an app for skill practice.
Tips for Keeping Growing
Review Your Journey: Look back at all steps to see how your systems align with outcomes.
- Plan Flexibly: Adjust next steps to fit your evolving “why.”
- Set Reminders: Use your phone or calendar for the revisit date.
- Reflect on Each System: If managing three systems (jogging, meal prep, skill practice), repeat the process for each.
- Celebrate: Downloading the PDF today is a win—step onto the podium!
Get Started Now
Download your Aiming Up Systems Planner PDF now— the perfect moment to step into a a up your journey. Reflect on your system(s)’ impact, plan your next steps, set a revisit schedule, and add notes. If you’re tracking multiple systems, repeat for each—jogging, meal prep, skill practice, or whatever you chose. Print the PDF or save it digitally, and set a reminder for your revisit date.
Feeling inspired? Share a reflection or a next step with me on X or LinkedIn (or perhaps with with #AimingUp to connect with others). I’d love to celebrate your growth with you.
What’s Next?
You’ve completed the Aiming Up Systems Planner! Revisit your system(s) on your scheduled date, or start anew with fresh goals and their underlying outcomes. Your daily rhythms are now yours to keep growing—keep Aiming Up!
