You do not have a consistency problem. You have a systems problem.

In a world obsessed with motivation and discipline, it's easy to overlook a crucial truth: systems trump willpower every time.

The other day I walked into a friend's house for a visit. I was met with a surprise. "What happened?" I puzzled as I surveyed the wreckage. The once decorative, beautiful, simple environment I had seen before had been completely transformed into a cluttered catastrophe.

"Well, this... and that... happened... and then.... but also...." The further the conversation went, the clearer the problem became. There was no structure set or systems made for outflow, only input. So as more and more projects came into the living space, the harder it became to keep things free of clutter. One project piled on top of the next.

Setup Simple Guidelines

"You must eat your dinner before you may have dessert." A line I heard often growing up. Just like art, freedom is not the marvel it's often thought to be. Constraints magnify creativity. Constraints also give you the structure you need to have creative freedom.

Put first things first.
Work out what your priorities are. And make it a rule to "work before play."
Learn your weaknesses. Plan accordingly to how you have the most brain power to put it to its best use. Other things that don't take much thought, schedule for when you're mentally fatigued.

Create a Failure Plan

Prepare for obstacles in advance to maintain momentum.

Identify potential roadblocks and create specific "if-then" plans. For example, "If I miss a workout, then I'll do a 10-minute home exercise routine." This system ensures minor setbacks don't derail your progress.

Adopt the Minimum Viable Effort Approach

Set absurdly low daily targets to maintain consistency.

If you want to write a book, commit to writing just 50 words a day. If you want to tidy your living space, follow the Boy Scout rule and always leave it at least a little nicer than you found it. Tiny commitments are easy to keep, so don't raise the bar. Just do extra when you want. Better to keep making a little progress over time than to workout extremely intensely for 18 hours straight never to do it again.

Automate Decision-Making

Reduce decision fatigue by creating systems that automate routine choices. Set up automatic bill payments, meal prep for the week, or lay out clothes the night before. This frees up mental energy for more important tasks.

Leverage Environmental Design

Shape your environment to support your goals. Keep healthy snacks visible, and completely eliminate anything you do not want to eat from your house. Place your gym bag by the door. Your surroundings should make it easier to make good choices, not the ones that get you stuck.

Practice the Art of Subtraction

Regularly evaluate your commitments and possessions. Ask yourself, "What can I remove to simplify my life?" Sometimes, the most effective system is one that eliminates unnecessary complexity, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.

Regular Review and Iteration

Set up a system for reviewing your progress and adjusting your approach. Weekly reviews can help you identify what's working and what isn't, allowing you to continually refine your systems for better results.

Choose one area of clutter in your life - physical, digital, or mental. Now, implement a simple system to address it. Set a daily 5-minute timer for decluttering, create a folder system for your emails, or start a nightly brain dump. Pick one and start today.

Let me know what area of your life could most benefit from a system. Next, book your brainstorming call to accelerate your progress. :D

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