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What is The RunDot Project?
It is an annual research initiative that uses optimized run training to help runners reach their true potential.
Why should you join?
RunDot athletes improve their running abilities, on average, 3.2x more than non-users, and experience performance improvements in 30% less training time.
Qualified participants also receive 2 free months of run training.
Do you qualify?
You are a good fit if you check these boxes:
You train with a GPS-enabled device
You have not used RunDot or TriDot in the last 12 months
You are not a professional runner
You are enthusiastic and motivated to accomplish your running goals
Do you meet these criteria?
Most people don’t fail because they’re lazy. They fail because they’re relying on the wrong things…
Those things are motivation, willpower, and discipline. You hear it all the time: You just need to want it more.
That’s a lie.
Motivation fades. Willpower drains. Discipline isn’t infinite.
The people who actually rise to the top? They don’t wait for motivation to hit. They don’t depend on discipline to get things done. They build systems that make success inevitable.
And if you’re serious about creating something bigger than yourself, you need to do the same.
Why Systems Matter More Than Motivation
Motivation is fleeting. It can be there one moment, gone the next. Ever feel fired up after reading a book, watching a TED Talk, or listening to a podcast? And then a week later, you’re back in the same patterns?
That’s motivation failing you.
The problem isn’t that you aren’t working hard enough. It’s that your success isn’t automatic yet—you don’t have the right structures in place to make the outcome inevitable.
Think about it:
Athletes don’t “feel like” training. They have structured routines.
CEOs don’t “try to remember” what matters. They use planners, dashboards, and assistants.
Creators don’t wait for inspiration. They set up habits that make creativity non-negotiable.
They build systems so that success happens by default.
What Happens When You Rely on Willpower Alone?
If you wake up every day and rely on discipline alone to get things done, here’s what happens:
You burn out. Every decision takes energy. Without a system, everything requires willpower, and willpower runs out fast.
You waste time. Ever notice how much mental energy goes into deciding what to do next? A system removes that friction.
You stay inconsistent. You’re at the mercy of how you feel. Some days you crush it. Other days, you fall behind. Systems keep you moving forward, no matter what.
Now let’s talk about how to fix this.
The System Formula: Making Success Inevitable
A system is a structure that makes the outcome inevitable. Instead of relying on “trying harder,” you set up an environment that ensures success—even on your worst days.
Here’s how YOU build one:
Identify the Patterns in Your Life
Look at your habits and routines. Ask yourself:
What do I do daily or weekly that could be automated or simplified?
What actions always move me closer to my goals?
Where do I waste the most time?
Start with just one thing. If you try to overhaul everything at once, you’ll fail. Find one pattern that, if improved, would make everything easier.
Examples:
If you struggle with writing, set a daily 15-minute writing block (instead of waiting for inspiration).
If you forget important tasks, set up a “night-before” planning habit so you always wake up knowing what matters.
If you waste time making decisions, create a repeatable schedule for key tasks so you never have to think about what’s next.
Build in Non-Negotiables
High performers don’t just set goals—they create rules that protect their focus.
These are non-negotiables—clear boundaries that make it impossible to fail.
Examples:
No meetings before 10 AM (so you control your mornings).
No social media until after deep work is done (so distractions don’t dictate your day).
Sunday is for weekly planning and strategy (so you start each week ahead, not behind).
If it’s not scheduled, protected, and enforced, it won’t happen. Make your system strong enough that it removes the option of failing.
Track & Adjust: The System is Never “Done”
The first version of your system won’t be perfect. That’s fine.
The key is tracking progress and adjusting what doesn’t work.
Every week, ask yourself:
What worked well?
What felt like friction?
Where did I fall off track?
Then tweak your system until it feels effortless. Over time, your system will do the heavy lifting for you.
The Reality Check: You’re Already Running a System
Right now, you already have a system. It just might be a bad one.
If you’re inconsistent, distracted, or stuck in the same cycles—it’s not because you’re lazy. It’s because your current system isn’t designed for success.
You can either design a system that makes winning automatic OR keep running the one that keeps you stuck.
Which one do you choose?
What’s Next: The Creative Workday—How to Build a Routine That Makes You Unstoppable
Systems are the foundation. But the real magic happens when you combine them with the right work rhythm.
Next week, we’re talking about:
How to design a daily routine that fuels creativity and focus.
Why most productivity hacks don’t work (and what actually does).
How to work fewer hours and get more done.
If you want to build a day that works for you, not against you, be here next week.
And if you’re reading this? You’re already ahead.
The people who apply this? They’re the ones who win.
What’s one system you’ve built that changed everything for you? Hit reply—I want to hear it! I mean it!