Systems approach will help you succeed in almost any area of life.
What is a system
When faced with any task, it is always tempting to resort to tricks, to take shortcuts. Many people do just that. They look for quick fixes to most problems and end up having to start all over again. The quick fixes are short-lived and sometimes difficult to replicate.
But there is another way – be consistent and create workable systems in different areas of life. A system is a collection of small steps, habits, and repetitive actions that make life easier and help you accomplish different tasks.
Why do you need a system
Firstly, by implementing a system into what you do, you increase your productivity. It saves you time and energy.
I use a couple of productivity systems. I start the day with the tasks I chose the previous evening: that way I don’t spend the morning creating a to-do list. The freed up time is spent on the most difficult work. This system allows me to use my brain to the fullest for tasks that require deep concentration. I also use the sprint method and set aside an hour or so in the morning to write.
Thomas Oppong / Entrepreneur and blogger.
Second, consistency and regularity increase your chances of long-term success regardless of short-term victories.
By following a plan, you make progress every day. Let’s say you want to improve your fitness. A regular twenty-minute workout in the morning or evening will be better than a one-time sprint or an hour at the gym whenever you feel like it.
Even if you only exercise twice a week, you will do more for your health in the long run. To change any area of your life, you have to play the long game.
How to develop a system
- Decide what area of your life is lacking a system. This could be your finances, health or work, for example.
- Determine a big goal. What do you want to achieve: exercise regularly, become more financially successful, or make time for your personal life?
- Write it down and identify the small steps you need to consistently take each day, week, month. You can note when you need to pay your bills or deposit a percentage of your income into your investment account.
- Measure your results every couple of months. Change or update your routines to make more progress. Revise the system if your actions are not producing the results you want.