The Superior Systems Journal.

Hi friend,

Hope you’re well.

"I'll become a new person in a year—just wait and see."

Sounds inspiring, right? People use this mantra for years, but end up in the same place every year.

It’s uncomfortable to admit, but I wasted years chasing the wrong ideas. That's why I’m sharing this with you today—so you can avoid making the same mistakes.

Here are 5 pieces of advice I wish I didn’t follow:

Popular Advice That Just Doesn’t Work:

1. “Just set big goals, and everything will follow.”

It’s motivating to dream big. But setting huge goals without a clear plan or foundation is setting yourself up for frustration.

Here’s the reality: big goals mean nothing if they don’t come with small, actionable steps.

• Break your goals into daily actions.

• Focus on small wins.

• Celebrate progress, not perfection.

How to set effective goals

2. “You need to find your passion before you can succeed.”

Waiting around for a passion to magically appear is one of the worst things you can do.

Instead, take action. Your passion is more likely to develop as you experiment and try new things.

• Start with curiosity.

• Explore different interests.

• Let passion grow through experience.

3. “Work hard, hustle harder, and you’ll make it.”

Hustle culture taught me to grind endlessly, but I wasn’t seeing results. Working harder without direction is exhausting, not productive.

What worked better? Working smart:

• Identify your most impactful tasks.

• Prioritize rest and recovery.

• Use systems to simplify your workflow.

4. “You need to do it alone to prove yourself.”

This one really set me back. I thought I had to solve every problem by myself to show I was capable.

But guess what? The smartest people I know ask for help and surround themselves with mentors.

• Find people who challenge you.

• Seek guidance from those further along the path.

• Collaboration is a strength, not a weakness.

5. “Change your mindset, and your life will change.”

Yes, mindset matters. But change doesn’t come from mindset alone—it comes from consistent action.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking positive thoughts without a strategy for execution.

• Build habits that reinforce your goals.

• Take action daily, even when it’s uncomfortable.

• Mindset is important, but discipline is what drives results.

The world is filled with well-meaning advice that isn’t always practical.

I learned that success isn’t about following all the rules—it’s about finding what works for you and taking action every single day.

That’s Not All Folks:

1. Follow me on X and LinkedIn. Daily tips to get 1% better everyday.

Enjoy your weekend my friend!

See you next Saturday.