The Secret of Systems
Your system is the secret to accomplishing your goals and building your dreams.
Greetings Tribe!
This is newsletter #13 of Great Is The Way!
What I'm Working On
My current priority and focus is working on a core list of success principles. I have about 78 principles that I plan to turn into my first digital product. In the meantime, I will wrestle with each principle in this newsletter.
The power of principles can help anyone, no matter what level they are at or what they are doing.
Now, for this week's principle.
The Secret of Systems
If you’re building your dreams, and fulfilling your potential, you will eventually say "This is difficult." Difficult stops 90% of everyone.
Difficult won’t stop you, because you know the secrets. One of those secrets is systems.
If you want to accomplish something big, you have to do it daily. To do it daily, you need a system. Your system is the secret to accomplishing your goals and building your dreams.
Working harder is the first thing we usually try in order to be more productive. I must work harder to get ahead! That won't work in the long run.
Working harder does not bring above average results. Working harder and working longer hours is a system for burnout. Burnout is what thins (and weakens) the herd. The Lion of Defeat preys on the weak.
To be strong, to build your dreams, you have to play the long game, and the long game requires a powerful system.
What is a system?
A system is a set of (proven) actions working together to consistently produce a desired outcome.
Why Is a System Important?
When building something big, it will take all your resources. It will push you beyond your current limits. The temptation to quit is the greatest enemy.
Systems are important because they assist us in the art of creating value in a consistent, reliable, and repeatable way. In other words, a system helps you get the job done, again and again.
A system is how value is created. If I don't schedule my activities, I am at the whims of which way my mind goes. I'm mentally all over the place, and get nothing of value done. Note the word "value."
A system is like rails for a train. It provides direction and focuses all your power on one thing.
The Benefits of a System
What are the specific benefits of an empowering system?
An empowering system:
Blocks distractions and low value activities.
Frees your mind to maintains focus.
Prioritizes the most important activities.
Optimizes the time invested.
Orders your day so you know exactly what to do next.
Make the most of your finite energy.
Increases productivity.
Ultimately, your system empowers you to be more productive with less wasted effort. Your system should not lead you to burnout. If it does, redesign it.
How To Create A System
Your system must take key elements into consideration, such as your environment, and your energy. For example, I am more effective at learning if I do it first thing in the morning. If I wait too long, I can't focus. So, I schedule reading/training, learning as my first activity.
Create a productive environment. In order to effectively utilize your system, you need a productive environment. If you can't focus, if you get interrupted, if you have temptations around you, you will not be productive. Create an environment that empowers you to do your best work.
Create a list of high-value activities. These activities must directly support the creation of value. Value is simply the things you create, or services you provide, that people love or need.
Order high-value activities by priority. Tackle the most important priorities first. This ensures that you have ample energy devoted to high-value activities.
Schedule low-value activities for the remainder of your day, after your high-value activities.
Set a specific time window for each priority to be worked on. The power of systems is what to do and when to do it. Set a begin and end time.
Create a process for capturing any ideas that interrupt your high-value work. While we work, our brain generates ideas and insights. It's important to capture these ideas and insights quickly, and then put them aside for later work.
Track the time you spend on high-value activities. This will help you determine if your week was productive according to your own standard of productivity. For example, if you spend two hours on writing your book, does that meet your standard? The key is, what you do this week, indicates where you will be in the future. In other words, it’s not what you plan to do that gets you where you want to be. It is what you actually did in the past seven days.
Additionally, incorporate exercise, meditation, maintain contacts, and other high value actions into your system.
Break the System
Systems can feel awesome at first. When you experience the magic happen and begin to create value on a consistent basis, it's satisfying and rewarding.
But even powerful locomotives need maintenance. Sometimes we need a break in the routine. If you begin to lose motivation, do something that empowers you. We are human beings, not machines. Systems are important, but so is freedom. We are empowered.
Summary
Work hard at working smart. People that use above average strategies get above average results. This is where the difference is made. This is why I say: Success is learned.
A system helps you stay on schedule, hit the target, reach the goal, write the book, build the portfolio, make the calls, sell the products, learn the skills, create the body of work, build the audience, be the authority, earn the reputation, make the difference, and get the job done.
In Pablo Picasso's 78-year career, he produced about 147,800 pieces, consisting of 13,500 paintings, 100,000 prints and engravings, 300 sculptures and ceramics and 34,000 illustrations. That’s a lot of art!
Whatever your art is, writing, photography, building custom cars, cooking, coaching, events, crafts, etc, do something every day. Create a system that empowers you to start and finish works of art, whatever your art may be.
Quote of the Week
"Do all that you can to raise your productivity, because, in the long run, that's what matters most." -Ray Dalio
Finally
I publish this newsletter once a week, every Monday. As I continue to write these newsletters I will learn more and adjust (that's a principle).
Feedback is crucial (that's a principle). Got feedback on this topic? I would like to know what you are struggling with, what you're interested in, or what you want to accomplish.
My definition of success: "I believe the best definition of success is living a life of integrity while pursuing your dreams in a way that serves others."
If this resonates with you, then I'm confident we can grow together.
To your success!
James Wilder
P.S. Stay motivated! Visit the Great Is The Way homepage for an encouraging message, every day!
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