--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Your goals should be to have the system…" description: "\"Your goals should be to have the system work for you instead of your working for the system! Be the hammer - not the nail!\" — E. Joseph Cossman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/e-joseph-cossman-23754_goals_your-goals-should-be-to-have-the-system_2177481.jpg" --- # Your goals should be to have the system work for you… ![“Your goals should be to have the system work for you instead of your working for the system! Be the hammer - not the nail!” quote by E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/e-joseph-cossman-23754_goals_your-goals-should-be-to-have-the-system_2177481.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/e-joseph-cossman-23754_goals_your-goals-should-be-to-have-the-system_2177481.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/abf/e-joseph-cossman-23754_goals_your-goals-should-be-to-have-the-system_2177481.jpg) > “Your goals should be to have the system work for you instead of your working for the system! Be the hammer - not the nail!” [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocate designing tools that serve personal goals rather than being enslaved by them, emphasizing agency and empowerment. **In simple terms:** Make systems serve you, not the other way around. Key Takeaway Design your tools, retain control. Themes productivity empowerment agency Mood determined optimistic Type advice motivational When to use this quote - career planning - software development - home organization - financial management Key Concepts systems thinking personal autonomy efficiency Questions to Reflect On - How can you audit your current tools for autonomy? - What tasks could be automated to free your time? A Different Perspective Systems can become rigid and limit creativity if not regularly reassessed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Goals Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals-work-859435/) [Hammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hammer/) [Hammer Nail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hammer-nail-343862/) [Instead Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instead-working-1491287/) [System](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/system/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work Instead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-instead-1088567/) [Your](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your/) ## Related quotes > [You should never do two things. You should hammer one nail all your life, and I didn't do that; I hammered on a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brion-gysin/you-should-never-do-two-things-you-should-hammer-one-nail-all-your/) [Brion Gysin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brion-gysin/) > [“You can't hammer in a nail with words..." "No, but you can start a war with them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-galley/you-can-t-hammer-in-a-nail-with-words-no-but-you-can-start-a-war-with/) [Ben Galley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-galley/) > [“If all you have is a hammer, everything seems to be a nail.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sedgewick/if-all-you-have-is-a-hammer-everything-seems-to-be-a-nail/) [Robert Sedgewick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sedgewick/) > [I'd rather be a hammer than a nail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-and-garfunkel/i-d-rather-be-a-hammer-than-a-nail/) [Simon And Garfunkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-and-garfunkel/) > [The weight is just a tool. Do you focus on the hammer or the nail? You better focus on the thing you're trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kai-greene/the-weight-is-just-a-tool-do-you-focus-on-the-hammer-or-the-nail-you/) [Kai Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kai-greene/) > [We're creating a little niche for ourselves instead of working the whole canvas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-glassman/we-re-creating-a-little-niche-for-ourselves-instead-of-working-the/) [Bernie Glassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-glassman/) > [For a while, I was saying 'no' way too often. I turned down 'An Officer and A Gentleman,' 'Splash' and 'Midnight Express.' I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-travolta/for-a-while-i-was-saying-no-way-too-often-i-turned-down-an-officer/) [John Travolta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-travolta/) > [Could be outside laying by the pool tanning today, but instead I'm working and I love it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kendall-jenner/could-be-outside-laying-by-the-pool-tanning-today-but-instead-i-m/) [Kendall Jenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kendall-jenner/) > [Sometimes we spend more time than we should defending the old thing, instead of working to take advantage of the new thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/sometimes-we-spend-more-time-than-we-should-defending-the-old-thing/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [“Instead of working hard for money, why not make money work hard for you; this way, you can have more time to enjoy life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taskinsoy/instead-of-working-hard-for-money-why-not-make-money-work-hard-for/) [JOHN TASKINSOY](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taskinsoy/) > [The object is to try to get the (movie) system to work for you, instead of against you. And the only way you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/the-object-is-to-try-to-get-the-movie-system-to-work-for-you-instead/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [Our work for God is to flow from loving God; thus, we work with Him instead of for Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-bickle/our-work-for-god-is-to-flow-from-loving-god-thus-we-work-with-him/) [Mike Bickle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-bickle/) > [30% of all people will never believe you. Do not allow your colleagues and employees to work for you. Instead, let them work for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/30-of-all-people-will-never-believe-you-do-not-allow-your-colleagues/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [When you love what you do, it stops seeming like work and instead becomes necessity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-leavitt/when-you-love-what-you-do-it-stops-seeming-like-work-and-instead/) [Caroline Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-leavitt/) > [People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-caldwell/people-must-again-learn-to-work-instead-of-living-on-public-assistance/) [Taylor Caldwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-caldwell/) ## More by E. Joseph Cossman > [For products with revision possibilities, there is no better source available than a company going out of business!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-joseph-cossman/for-products-with-revision-possibilities-there-is-no-better-source/) [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) > [The greatest power is often simple patience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-joseph-cossman/the-greatest-power-is-often-simple-patience/) [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) > [Square meals often make round people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-joseph-cossman/square-meals-often-make-round-people/) [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) > [You can have the best product in the world, you can have the best motivation in the world, you can have best education in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-joseph-cossman/you-can-have-the-best-product-in-the-world-you-can-have-the-best/) [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) > [If you try to make money doing something you're not enjoying, it's a hard way to make money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-joseph-cossman/if-you-try-to-make-money-doing-something-you-re-not-enjoying-it-s-a/) [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) > [“Obstacles is what a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-joseph-cossman/obstacles-is-what-a-person-sees-when-he-takes-his-eyes-off-his-goal/) [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) > [Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-joseph-cossman/obstacles-are-things-a-person-sees-when-he-takes-his-eyes-off-his-goal/) [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) > [Middle age is when your broad mind and narrow waist begin to change places.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-joseph-cossman/middle-age-is-when-your-broad-mind-and-narrow-waist-begin-to-change/) [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) > [If you are ready to put a product or service on the market, look at that product or service and see how you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-joseph-cossman/if-you-are-ready-to-put-a-product-or-service-on-the-market-look-at/) [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) > [Drive-in banks were established so most of the cars today could see their real owners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-joseph-cossman/drive-in-banks-were-established-so-most-of-the-cars-today-could-see/) [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) > [Do not quit! Hundreds of times I have watched people throw in the towel at the one-yard line while someone else comes along and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-joseph-cossman/do-not-quit-hundreds-of-times-i-have-watched-people-throw-in-the/) [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) > [If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-joseph-cossman/if-you-want-to-test-your-memory-try-to-recall-what-you-were-worrying/) [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) > [This country is conducive to making money. Once you learn this lesson and make your first deal, you will really appreciate the tools available…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-joseph-cossman/this-country-is-conducive-to-making-money-once-you-learn-this-lesson/) [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) > ['Salaryitis' is when you become so accustomed to that salary that you no longer have the gumption to pull out of the rut and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-joseph-cossman/salaryitis-is-when-you-become-so-accustomed-to-that-salary-that-you/) [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) > [Our business in life is not to get ahead of others, but to get ahead of ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-joseph-cossman/our-business-in-life-is-not-to-get-ahead-of-others-but-to-get-ahead-3/) [E. Joseph Cossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) [Explore all 25 E. Joseph Cossman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-joseph-cossman/) ## More Goals quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The goal of spiritual practice is full recovery, and the only thing you need to recover from is a fractured sense of self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-goal-of-spiritual-practice-is-full-recovery-and-the-only-thing/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Every drop of rain hits its appointed target.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/every-drop-of-rain-hits-its-appointed-target/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [“Achieving mental harmony is one of the greatest goals and experiences in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambiz-mostofizadeh/achieving-mental-harmony-is-one-of-the-greatest-goals-and-experiences/) [Kambiz Mostofizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambiz-mostofizadeh/) > [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [Too many times we flitter our energy into too many goals and in the process don't achieve much. Focus is very important in life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaishali-kasture/too-many-times-we-flitter-our-energy-into-too-many-goals-and-in-the/) [Vaishali Kasture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaishali-kasture/) > [Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/plainly-the-environment-must-be-a-living-one-directed-by-a-higher/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [According to the best research, less than 3% of Americans have written goals, and less than 1% review and rewrite their goals on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/according-to-the-best-research-less-than-3-of-americans-have-written/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“What shapes us is not always our achievements but our omissions. Not lies; simply the truths we don’t tell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-tudor/what-shapes-us-is-not-always-our-achievements-but-our-omissions-not/) [C.J. Tudor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-tudor/) [Browse all 21,276 Goals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Your goals should be to have the system work for you instead of your working for the system! Be the hammer - not the nail!", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "E. 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