Without a system, one’s goals will be frustrated. Self-help author James Clear makes this goal frustration point succinctly: "You do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems." Or put more provocatively by cartoonist Scott Adams: “Losers have goals. Winners have systems.”
I think we all adopt systems, mostly through unconscious conformity or through mimesis. Dividing the year into 52 weeks comprised of 7 days is a universal paradigm that shapes all of our other unconscious systems. If we don't consciously introspect and create our own systems, we'll likely become enslaved by other people's systems.
I like Jamie Wheal's Hedonic Calendaring framework, described as "an innovative roadmap to help you map your days, weeks months and years for an optimal balance of healing, peak states, and connection without going off the rails or into the ditch". It both reminds me that we need pleasure to heal and create meaningful experiences (helps me avoid burn out), but also shows me how to balance hedonism as a well-measured reward for sticking to my goals the rest of the time!
Very timely as I am thinking of implement Tiago’s Second Brain! Have you tried or has anybody reading this used Thomas Frank’s Notion template to implement it?
The day after this was published, my daughter (15) came to me and told me she needed a system. She said she had done her first year of high school trying different methods for taking notes, for organizing her thoughts, and for keeping track of her deadlines. Now she wanted something that was flexible enough to support some variation as she chose the method that worked best, with the ability to tweak it based on the current need and the benefits of the other methods, but supportive enough that she could track, adjust, predict, and place the next thing. She said she wanted a planner, but not like mine (haha!!) I asked her if she'd ever seen a student planner, she hadn't, we looked them up, she loved it, we got one, she's using it.
I also got one for myself. I love planners, but haven't been a student studying subjects in years, and so did not consider to use this tool that I love in a new way. Seems like a no-brainer as I reflect back now... But I also wanted the things she wanted in a system -- flexibility and support. So the planner is offering some support, a pencil (rather than a pen) is offering some flexibility (ha!) and for a week and a half I have used it. That might seem insignificant, but it's not, because I'm so freakin' stoked about it and I'm *using* it. I noticed as I filled in the subject line with "EC Volunteering" or "Writing" or "Book Club" that I had an opportunity to sit for a second with my relationship to each category and *feel* the joy of it. And I get to do this every week (until it's not joyful -- I loved learning what argus-eyed means)! I have a built-in way to assess and evaluate my relationship to my commitments.
Peter, I needed this post. It has really been impactful for me. One day, when I grow up, I may be as awesome as my daughter. Until then... I'm going to build me some systems...
Mari, what advice would a 72 year old man give to a 15 year old who he has never met?
Whatever she does now will fade from her memory, unless...
Unless she creates A Personal AI for herself. She could use it as a planner, for reflection on her plans and for writing messages to her future self. Her AI version of herself could be a life-long supportive companion that would capture how she grows and changes over time.
I think we all adopt systems, mostly through unconscious conformity or through mimesis. Dividing the year into 52 weeks comprised of 7 days is a universal paradigm that shapes all of our other unconscious systems. If we don't consciously introspect and create our own systems, we'll likely become enslaved by other people's systems.
"I must create a system, or be enslaved by another man's." - William Blake
I like Jamie Wheal's Hedonic Calendaring framework, described as "an innovative roadmap to help you map your days, weeks months and years for an optimal balance of healing, peak states, and connection without going off the rails or into the ditch". It both reminds me that we need pleasure to heal and create meaningful experiences (helps me avoid burn out), but also shows me how to balance hedonism as a well-measured reward for sticking to my goals the rest of the time!
Current system:
✨️Second brain( notion)
Within my second brain:
✨️EOPs(Generator practice, journalling, movement, food vibz)
Feel the need to add to EOPs some Tech hygene. Also to schedule space to research new systems and update current systems.
An EOP system. 🥰
I am working on a system for "internet independence," which might touch on what you mean by tech hygiene.
Very timely as I am thinking of implement Tiago’s Second Brain! Have you tried or has anybody reading this used Thomas Frank’s Notion template to implement it?
The day after this was published, my daughter (15) came to me and told me she needed a system. She said she had done her first year of high school trying different methods for taking notes, for organizing her thoughts, and for keeping track of her deadlines. Now she wanted something that was flexible enough to support some variation as she chose the method that worked best, with the ability to tweak it based on the current need and the benefits of the other methods, but supportive enough that she could track, adjust, predict, and place the next thing. She said she wanted a planner, but not like mine (haha!!) I asked her if she'd ever seen a student planner, she hadn't, we looked them up, she loved it, we got one, she's using it.
I also got one for myself. I love planners, but haven't been a student studying subjects in years, and so did not consider to use this tool that I love in a new way. Seems like a no-brainer as I reflect back now... But I also wanted the things she wanted in a system -- flexibility and support. So the planner is offering some support, a pencil (rather than a pen) is offering some flexibility (ha!) and for a week and a half I have used it. That might seem insignificant, but it's not, because I'm so freakin' stoked about it and I'm *using* it. I noticed as I filled in the subject line with "EC Volunteering" or "Writing" or "Book Club" that I had an opportunity to sit for a second with my relationship to each category and *feel* the joy of it. And I get to do this every week (until it's not joyful -- I loved learning what argus-eyed means)! I have a built-in way to assess and evaluate my relationship to my commitments.
Peter, I needed this post. It has really been impactful for me. One day, when I grow up, I may be as awesome as my daughter. Until then... I'm going to build me some systems...
Mari, what advice would a 72 year old man give to a 15 year old who he has never met?
Whatever she does now will fade from her memory, unless...
Unless she creates A Personal AI for herself. She could use it as a planner, for reflection on her plans and for writing messages to her future self. Her AI version of herself could be a life-long supportive companion that would capture how she grows and changes over time.