Why Systems Beat Goals – Every Time

 

James Clear, in his bestselling book Atomic Habits, puts it plainly:

"You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems."

He explains that while goal setting is helpful, it’s not always effective in forming lasting change. In fact, many people revert to bad habits after achieving their goals—simply because they never built the systems to sustain progress.

I’ve found this to be true both individually and at the organizational level. Often, we focus all our energy on reaching a target—but when the target is hit, we’re left unsure of what’s next.

Not too long ago, I came across a funny post of someone doing a mid-year evaluation:

·        Buy a car became Buy a carpet

·        Save K10,000 became Save K10

·        Live a happy life became Just live

Sounds familiar?

Every January, we set ambitious goals—yet by mid-year, many of us feel lost or unmotivated. It’s not because we lack discipline or good intentions—it’s because we didn’t build systems.

Let’s bring this closer to home: For years, both past and current Presidents have lamented the increase in audit queries in government ministries and departments. To emphasize just how serious this matter is, one of the Cabinet Office’s strategic objectives—boldly printed on the wall at the Cabinet Office reception—is to reduce audit queries.

Yet year after year, some Controlling Officers still find themselves summoned before the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC), forced to publicly explain and defend their failure to follow public finance and procurement procedures. These sessions are often televised—turning what should have been internal accountability processes into national embarrassment. And sadly, even ministries that clear their audit queries one year often fall back into the same issues in the next, because no system was put in place to prevent recurrence.

We’ve also seen well-debated national budgets passed with optimism, only for supplementary budgets to be presented halfway through the year—often coupled with requests for additional borrowing. Why? Again, good goals, but poor systems.

The truth is:

✅ When we build strong systems, we don’t need to chase compliance—compliance becomes automatic.
✅ When we build lending systems, people who are creditworthy and project-ready get funding—and repayments follow naturally.
✅ When we build systems for fiscal discipline, deficits reduce—not because of a “Super President”—but because the system works.

And on a personal level:

·        Build a system for focus, and you won’t be easily distracted.

·        Build a system for saving, and you'll accumulate wealth—not because of a target, but through habit.

·        Build a system for results, and your output will speak for itself across every task you take on.

I’m currently working on building systems in my own life—and going forward, I’ll only focus on upgrading and enhancing those systems.

👉 If you haven’t read Atomic Habits by James Clear, I highly recommend it. It’s a brilliant guide to building systems that lead to lasting change.

If your organization needs help building systems that drive results, let’s talk. Email me at bweupep@hotmail.com or send me a message.

Also, leave a comment—I welcome all feedback. There’s no such thing as bad feedback; it all helps me grow.

📖 For more articles, visit my blog: https://chilukakula.blogspot.com

Stop chasing goals—and start building systems that work

 

Leaked !!!: What If It Was You?

 

“All of us are like the moon — we have a dark side we don’t want others to see.” – Kahlil Gibran

Yesterday afternoon, while working with colleagues at the office, our conversation veered toward a trending explicit video allegedly showing a well-known young woman performing oral sex on a fellow well-known young man.

Let me be clear: I’ve heard and read about it, but I have not seen the video — nor do I intend to. I am not personally connected to either party, and I don’t have any deep knowledge about their lives or character. But that conversation sparked a sobering reflection.

In today’s world, every morning we wake up — and every night we go to bed — without our shame or the shame of someone close to us being leaked to the public, we should be thankful. Very thankful.

You can live as cautiously as possible, making wise decisions to avoid compromising situations. But some things will always be out of your control — especially the actions of those closest to you. You can raise a child with all the love, values, and structure in the world, but at the end of the day, their decisions are their own. The same goes for siblings, cousins, even parents. When they find themselves in scandalous situations, you’re often dragged into the judgment and consequences, even if you had nothing to do with it.

Society is quick to connect dots that don’t exist. If I were to make a headline tomorrow for theft or some other indiscretion, people would start analysing my entire family. "That explains why his father was always quiet," or, "Maybe that's why his daughter behaves a certain way." The fallout wouldn’t end with me. I can only imagine the pain and embarrassment my secondary-school-going daughter would face. Or the shame my university-going son would carry, walking the campus halls knowing his peers had seen his father trending for the wrong reasons.

And it doesn't stop there. Scandals leave scars — not only on individuals but across families and even future generations. Some mistakes live on far longer than the moment they were made.

Still, life happens.

No matter how guarded or careful we are, we are all capable of making mistakes. And in truth, some of the most critical lessons in life come wrapped in shame and failure.

I’ve seen people online ask why anyone would record an explicit scene of themselves. Some call it stupidity. I don’t. I choose not to judge. A few years ago, a highly respected Minister in South Africa had an explicit video circulate online. Here in Zambia, we had a similar incident involving another respected and honourable Minister. These were not random people — these were public figures, leaders.

What does that tell us?

It tells us that even the best of us — no matter how wise, old, or educated — can be lured into indiscretion. We’re human. We make poor choices. Sometimes out of passion, sometimes out of curiosity, and sometimes just from sheer lack of foresight.

And yet, what defines us is not just our mistakes, but how we rise from them.

I deeply admire that former Minister who did not bury himself in shame. He had the courage to return to the very people he once disappointed — and sought re-election from his constituency. He won. That takes courage, resilience, and bravery. Even more inspiring was his wife — who publicly declared her forgiveness and stood by him. That was not a PR stunt; that was real-life work. Behind the scenes, I know, it took incredible strength, pain, and process to get to that place of healing.

I understand this because I’ve faced many challenges in my own marriage. Some of us are fortunate that our private drama hasn’t made headlines, but we’ve still broken under the weight of it. Many have separated. And those who have stayed together? We’ve had to learn that forgiveness isn’t a switch you flip. It’s more like ZESCO load shedding — unpredictable, frustrating, but something you work through until the light returns.

To forgive is one thing. To keep forgiving daily — yourself and your partner — is another. It's not easy. But it's possible. And necessary.

Here’s what I’ve come to learn:

• No one is perfect.
• No one can forgive you more deeply than you can forgive yourself.
• No one can accept your imperfection better than you.
• No one can move on from your past unless you do it first.

You are human. You will err. But you can also heal. You can grow. You can rise.

There is nothing impossible under the sun.

— PCB

 

Want more reflective content like this?
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Be part of the solution.

I’m conducting a confidential survey as part of a book project on abuse in relationships, if you or someone you know wants to contribute to this conversation:

👉 Click here to take the anonymous survey:

·       Reflecting on Men’s Relationship Behaviour (For men who have struggled with abuse or control)

·       Understanding Abuse in Relationships (Victim’s Perspective)

Together, we can build a better narrative — one of honest reflection, recovery, and redemption.

 

Are you Hot ?

Dear Christian,

It’s been a while since I last shared my thoughts with you, my beloved friends and colleagues. A lot has happened, and in that time, God has been speaking deeply to my heart.

I’m currently working on a project that reflects on intimate relationship abuse — looking at it from both ends: the experience of the victim and the inner struggles of the abuser. If you or someone you know would like to contribute, I have created two confidential and secure links below. Your voice matters, and every submission will be treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality.

🔹 Reflecting on Men’s Relationship Behaviour (For men who have struggled with abuse or control)
🔹 Understanding Abuse in Relationships (Victim’s Perspective)

Today, I was reflecting on a text from the bible:

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Revelation 3:15–16

This message to the Church in Laodicea though old has significant relevance appeal to current times and events.

It reminded me of a scene from the movie War Room, where an elderly woman serves lukewarm tea to her guest — not because she lacked hospitality, but to drive home a lesson. Luke warmness is not only unappealing, it is ineffective and unacceptable.

In Bemba, there is a proverb that says: “Chimbwi afwile intangalala” — the hyena died with its legs splayed in every direction, because it couldn’t decide which way to go. Indecision is dangerous. It paralyzes us, blinds us to opportunity, and can cost us everything.

I can boldly state that an undecided person cannot even benefit from chance.

Many choose to remain neutral for fear of offending others, losing influence, income, or friends. But neutrality in moments of moral crisis is not love. It’s fear disguised. And fear is not of God.

As a professional in the field of accounting and audit assurance, I’m bound by the highest ethical standards. Yet, even in our field, we’ve seen glowing audit reports on organisations later found to be riddled with corruption and fraud  which the accounting and audit assurance professionals were alleged to be aware. These have led to collapsing institutions and shaking economies. Where were the Professional ethical voices of truth?

I am also led back to a personal moment early in my career. I had just completed a level National Accounting Technician (NATech) course and was desperate for work to support myself and continue my studies. After making several job applications which did not even yield responses of acknowledgement or regret, I was called for an interview at Spur Zambia for an Assistant Accountant position. After the interview, they asked if I had any questions. I did.

As a devoted Seventh-day Adventist Christian at the time, I asked if the role would require me to work on the Sabbath. They confirmed Saturdays were working days. I calmly responded that if I would be required to work on my day of worship, I would have to decline the job.

A few months later, after being hired, the Finance Manager who had sat on the interview panel told me it was that bold response — an unsolicited act of question — that made me stand out from the other candidates, which had included some individual that were more experienced and qualified than me. What seemed like a disqualifier became my selling point.

Today, it grieves me to see so many Christians in positions of influence who’ve traded their values for status or wealth.

Dear Christian, you are lukewarm when:

·        You lend your voice to advertisements that contradict the beliefs.

·        You represent brands that promote products undermining moral values.

·        You stay silent in boardrooms or parliaments while unjust laws and policies are being crafted.

·        You witness fraud, corruption or injustice and say nothing.

·        You continue to serve systems that no longer serve the people and never raise your voice.

Remember when Mordecai reminded Esther, “Perhaps you were made queen for such a time as this.”
Though her entrance to the king was unscheduled and dangerous, Esther chose to be hot — to stand for her people and speak the truth, even if it meant death.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2

Be hot — bold in love, unwavering in conviction, and faithful in both public and private life. Let us speak truth to power, stand for the voiceless, and bring wisdom to a world desperately in need of light.

Reflect deeply. Worship intentionally.
With love and conviction,
PCB