Don’t Set Goals for 2025. Create Systems.
New Year's Systems
Ah… New Year’s goals. Clear, dreamy, full of potential.
→ Blurry by February
→ Fully abandoned by March.
Next thing you know, you're right back where you started.
***
It's easy to see why this happens. Goals are just hopeful destinations. They lack direction.
Without a plan to get there, they’re just wishes.
So the better move for 2025 is…
Don’t just set goals. Create systems to get you there.
The Difference Between Goals and Systems
A goal is: “I want to land 10 new clients this month.”
A system is: “I’ll build a repeatable ‘client-getting’ process and reach out to 3-5 past conversations every week.”
See the shift? Goals focus on the outcome. Systems focus on the process.
Systems Work Better
Consistency beats motivation. Systems keep you moving even when you don’t feel like it.
They’re repeatable. Systems are actions you can do again and again, not just once.
Progress feels real. You’re not staring at a far-off goal; you’re clocking real progress and daily wins.
Bonus: systems give you reps. You get new clarity and efficiency. No matter how much you plan and strategize, you can't beat getting in your reps.
Systems for Freedom
With systems, you stop obsessing over the goal. You focus on the actions that get you there. And here’s the kicker: When you trust the system, the results take care of themselves.
What if you skip the big, lofty goals this year. Build systems that make success inevitable.
Systems for Sanity
Systems let you clone yourself, basically
I like to do things without reinventing the wheel.
Tough to do when you offer a broad range of things.
Ever try to manage multiple clients, each with unique expectations and deadlines? It’s like a circus clown juggling more balls than I can while riding a unicycle on a tightrope.
It's like having eight arms, just like an octopus, but instead of tentacles, you're answering phone calls, responding to emails, and showing up for meetings. You're constantly worrying about dropping the ball, literally and figuratively, and wishing you could replicate yourself to meet the demands of your workload.
The pressure is intense. You wonder how to prevent a collapse.
What’s the fix?
Systems.
Don’t roll your eyes just yet. Systems aren’t some corporatey buzzword designed to ruin your day. They’re simple, repeatable steps that make your solo business run smoothly.
For some things, you can put them on autopilot.
Systems for Experts
Systems are how you go from chaos to clarity, from "Where do I even start?" to "I’ve got this covered."
It's a fancy way to say, “I’ve got a process for this.”
It's the opposite of 'winging it'.
Instead of figuring out how to onboard a client every single time, you create a checklist. Instead of scrambling to come up with your next marketing post, you set up a content calendar.
It’s not rocket science—it’s repeatable steps.
Why You Need Them
Without systems, you’re running on fumes. Systems help you…
Save Time. No more guessing or starting from scratch every time.
Reduce Stress. You know what to do and when to do it.
Look Professional. Clients love working with someone who has their act together.
Systems aren’t just for big businesses. They’re your secret weapon as a solopreneur to make everything feel a little easier and a lot more organized.
The Best Solopreneur Systems
Here’s where systems can transform your business:
Client-Getting (Sales)
A simple template for LinkedIn outreach or cold emails.
A calendar reminder to spend 30 minutes a day pitching new clients.
Marketing
Plan and schedule posts once a week instead of scrambling every day.
Work in sprints or batches so it’s ready to go for the month.
Service Delivery
A step-by-step process for how you deliver your service.
A checklist for onboarding, so you don’t miss a step.
Daily Routine
Time-blocking your day so you focus on what matters most.
Automating admin tasks (like scheduling calls or sending invoices).
Solos Without Systems, Burn Out
Without systems, you’re stuck in the constant grind. Finish one thing and then “what’s next?”
That's how you waste time ‘deciding’ instead of ‘doing.’ Then you miss opportunities because you can’t keep up.
The worst is when you start to hate the solo life you once loved.
How to Start Building Systems
Pick one area where you feel the most chaos. Client-getting? Marketing? Service delivery?
Jot down in a doc the steps you repeat every time. This only takes a second.
Create a checklist, template, or calendar reminder to make those steps automatic.
Start small. Your business won't become a machine overnight. Even one or two systems make a massive difference.
I know that systems sound like something rigid. In my experience, it's just the opposite. They’re how you create freedom.
I’m going to be talking about what solopreneurs really want in the next few posts. Client-Getting systems
See you there,
Patrick O.
Before you go…
Hey there. Patrick O. here.
Have you ever wanted to turn your LinkedIn profile into a client magnet?
But you hate selling.
Well now you know I love a system.
And I've got a system for plucking clients off LinkedIn.
I built it for my B2B clients. It's booked clients for them over and over.
Now I want you to have it, so I've turned it into a kit.
This kit is so you can finally stop chasing clients and start attracting them. With less effort.
Imagine turning your LinkedIn into a consistent client-getting machine. Without ads (and without being featured on r/LinkedInLunatics).
This kit starts with a checklist designed to help you build a system that works even whenever you need it.
Sign up and I'll send you my FREE LinkedIn Checklist for Plucking Clients Anytime You Want.
Now you can stop guessing and start landing.
So sign up now, get the free checklist. Then I'll email you the other levers in the kit, which includes...
how to offer LinkedIn users something they really want
"what to say, and when to say it" templates
how to get clients and grow a waitlist (without selling).
positioning your profile so they send you DMs.
It's all in the kit.