Here is a good read

The author argues that when we replace goals--lose 20 pounds or achieve financial freedom--with a system, we end up with a great deal of freedom and....not surprisingly end up achieving our goals, or exceeding them, without the stress of worrying about goals. 

Along the same notes, W. E. Deming is said to have noted that with rare exceptions, every process is perfectly designed to give us exactly the results we're getting.  In other words, it's not that much about chance, but rather planning--a lot of people have said similar things, haven't they?

So what's your system?