As James Clear says in his new book, Atomic Habits:

Prevailing wisdom claims that the best way to achieve what we want in life—getting into better shape, building a successful business, relaxing more and worrying less, spending more time with friends and family—is to set specific, actionable goals.

But results have very little to do with the goals you set and nearly everything to do with the systems you follow. You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.

...

If you want better results, then forget about setting goals. Focus on your system instead.

He's not the first one to decry the "just add more willpower" approach to building the lift you want.

But in those days where we're gritting it out, and we haven't achieved the lofty results we've been working toward for so long and so hard, it's nice to remember that.

It's nice to know that we can make small changes in our environment that will have a big impact in the long run. It makes things feel a little more manageable. It does for me at least.