Systems are essential for success. One time wonders don't do anything.
In the last letter, we talked about creative retention.
The practice required for generating massive ideas without burnout.
In that, I pushed back on the;
"Reps are everything/10,000 hours" and hyper-productivity mindset.
But there was one issue with it...
I made it sound like creating systems and being productive are useless.
While creativity and productivity are at opposite ends, we still need both.
We need to learn to be productive with our creativity.
This balance between the two is key for long term success, in and out of production.
If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it. – Peter Drucker
Creating systems for your creativity do so many things:
You can commoditize your creative work and success.
You buy back time with efficient processes and methods.
You stay relevant and ahead of the curve where ever the systems are.
Makes it hard for others to compete with you since you're always improving.
Here are the systems I use on a daily.
Production system - creating/managing and finishing songs and content to grow my audience.
Writing system - what I'm using to writing this letter now.
Expense trackers - finances, personal and business.
Fitness trackers - I made a fitness app (yes, I did make one, ask me on Instagram and I’ll show you).
Yearly, monthly and weekly goal tracker - accountability sheet.
Calendar to note down the key activities I have for the day.
Journal/idea making system - Notion templates.
Creating systems are not hard, there are tons of templates you can use to start if you search online.
Even creating one on your own is simple.
Steps to creating your own systems for success
1. Identify what main goal or task do you have right now.
Here's a couple easy ways to do it.
A. Out of these major areas, what needs the most improvement?
Health
Wealth
Relationships
Happiness
B. Ask yourself, is there a lot of repeat work in my day?
If so, figure out what work can get automated or streamlined (made faster and easier to do).
If not, check where you can improve your process, what gaps you have or what new work you can take on.
2. Create a system to manage and achieve the identified goal.
The system can be a simple spreadsheet with a date, the goal, the progress you made, what to do next etc.
3. Iterate on the system over time.
Change it or remove it completely once you feel progress slowing or the system is holding you back.
Creating systems that have leverage on your day and activities need constant improvement.
At first, it won't have everything you need.
But over time, as you get feedback from it, you tweak and improve it.
Making it better and more efficient each time.
Peace,
Vig/MA
How I Can Help when you’re ready
