Creating a System That Works for You

I have been reflecting on the ideas that we discussed in our second workshop with Heather. Although the focus was on networking, and building and leveraging a network with integrity and intent, I found myself thinking a lot more about the idea of the systems we create and use in our lives. Whether it be to manage our contacts, or to have a daily schedule, for most of us, a system and a procedure works really well. Something I find important to remember, however, is that you can’t necessarily adopt someone else’s system and expect it to work for you.

Just look at diets! Have you ever had a friend go on and on about a fab diet they did, and then you try it yourself and nada! not a pound lost? That is because each person’s body is so different that what works for some, may not work for you. The same can be said for schedules and systems. Even ones that you create for yourself. Recently, I set myself up a neat daily schedule, and after a while, I realised that various circumstances were causing me to not keep to the schedule, and I ended up feeling guilty and very conscience of a sense of failure, rather than accomplishment.

I stepped back, though, and realised that the problem was not ME, but rather the schedule. Life throws so many different curveballs at us that a great skill is to learn flexibility. If you created the system or the schedule, and it isn’t working for you, then change it again! Getting advice and help from others on what to do, or how to do it, is great, but you also need to take into account that you may need a different system or set of tools that will work more for you. Don’t be afraid to throw out that schedule – maybe only in the short term – until you feel you can follow it successfully, OR … create a new one! You don’t have to feel guilty or embarrassed, just change it. Do what works for you.

And like Heather mentioned, when you have a plan and intent, and tackle your tasks (whether it be networking, setting goals, work projects) with integrity, you will achieve success.

Geraldine

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