What are Systems and Why Are They Useful?

Last week, I read through my journal entries for the last three months.

I found nothing spectacular. The major themes that came up were the same things that I plan week to week - my finances, my job, this website, D&D, fitness, and whatever books or video games I’m working through.

There were also a few key highlights - people I met and secret plans I progressed. But it was largely mundane and humdrum.

And yet it was incredibly satisfying!

A lot of middle

Our memories are generally highlights and low-lights from our lives because they stand out.

However, most of our life falls somewhere in the middle. Most of our lives are made up of stuff we do daily or regularly. We tend to fall into habits, whether consciously or subconsciously.

A study by Duke University found that up to 45% of our daily behaviors are habitual, meaning they are performed automatically without conscious thought. That’s almost half our lives lived unconsciously. Instead, if we can be intentional with our habits, we can control and enjoy more of our lives.

When you group your habits together, you get a system. You probably already have have systems in your life - look for any things you do regularly, and in a particular sequence. What systems do you have?

Example: morning routines

The same study by Duke University also found that habits are particularly strong in the morning. People are more likely to stick to their habitual behaviors during this time.

The internet is littered with stories, advice, and even courses about developing your morning routine. Notably, there is also a lot of toxicity and posturing about morning routines.

Your habits and systems are supposed to work for you, not the other way around. If your habits are not making you happier and more content, they won’t stick.

Here’s my morning system:

1. X AM - Wake up. I get up when I get up. There is nothing more important than sleep, and I generally wake up around 7 or 8 AM on most days. As a writer, I do have the privilege of not having to start work in the early hours daily, and I take full advantage of that privilege.
2. Water and restroom. I drink some water, use the restroom, and brush my teeth.
3. Weigh myself.
4. On a good day, I also do some basic back and joint mobility exercises.
5. Make and eat breakfast.
6. Sit down in front of my laptop and look at my planner.

That’s it. There are no fixed times to this system, just a bunch of basic things I need to do to warm up and get a good start.

Your habits and systems are supposed to work for you.

Why are systems important?

I mean, why is anything important?

Adult life is incredibly complicated. Every day you’re bombarded with hundreds of decisions, news stories, and responsibilities. Systems help make life easier.

That’s why they’re important.

Systems help us compartmentalize our responsibilities, and make repetitive tasks easier. When we repeat tasks, our bodies literally learn how to do them quicker and more efficiently (muscle memory).

The energy savings then translate to whatever else you want to do. From blogging to hiking to just getting some more sleep, systems give you the freedom to desire a better life for yourself.

Thanks for reading and subscribing to Thorough and Unkempt!