Your Systems Are A Safety Net!

What's it About...

Jonathan Stewart
Jonathan Stewart

A system is not something that needs to fix you or make you better. A system is a safety net. In a previous episode, I redefined systems as a series of components that work together towards a common goal.

Usually systems are thought of as trying to fix things that's wrong with you to make you fit in a certain way of working.

A system is actually designed to be a safety net to support your way of working. Not trying to completely change it.

If the way you work doesn't support what you're trying to achieve, which can indeed still be a thing. A system can be that safety net for when things fall over a bit. Because you're human, not a robot.

A good example of this is a non-business thing. I mentioned a kettle in a previous audio . I often operate on an out of sight out of mind mentality. This has never been more truer when it comes to making myself a hot drink. Now, my studio is not the warmest, so hot drinks are a must. I also get super dehydrated very, very easily.

So I need to drink plenty and do have a tendency to drink a lot of tea. If you see any of the videos or the podcasts that I'm on. I always have a drink by my side, often two. Now previously I had a traditional kettle, which required at least two three, maybe even five minutes to make a cup of tea. So I used to put the kettle on, I go back to work. Three hours past. I forgot that I was trying to make myself a drink. I'm dehydrated. Oh, I boiled the kettle and now it's cold and I have to do it again. That process then repeats itself over and over.

So instead of trying to force myself to fix that, I thought, well, is it possible to buy a kettle that super fast to boil and also fills up my cup? Spoiler alert there is… (affiliate link) so now even if I do forget. I'll have a drink.

Now I could have created reminders to try and force myself to remember force myself to wait and focus and probably a host of other, just get better at it things. But instead, the kettle that I've bought and use is a mundane example of a component of a system. That's part of the safety net. I am piece of that system and it supports me.

Do I still forget things? Yes. Will that ever change unlikely, but I have a kettle that boils faster? That means more times than not. I always have a drink ready to drink, whether it's hot or cold. Is another story.

We are bombarded by things we should be doing each and every day in our business. However, sometimes things in our life as well as outside of our business can have a fantastic influence on the way we work. Remembering that your system shouldn't fix you and be focused on providing a support network or a safety net to support you allows you to get things done in a way that fits you.


Learn the prompts I use in my business!

Everyone is talking about ChatGPT right now, but wouldn't it be cool to not just be shown prompts but actually learn how they work. I'm creating a monthly subscription where I share a prompt, but ALSO share why it works, with a full breakdown. So you can adapt it to suit your needs… and it's $9!

What you think of:
Your Systems Are A Safety Net!?

You May Also Like...

Inertia vs Executive Dysfunction

As an autistic business owner, I’ve struggled with the inertia that comes with starting and finishing tasks. The concept of “executive dysfunction” never sat well with me, as it felt negative and worked against my philosophy. Instead, I prefer to work with my inertia, finding tools and strategies that help me get started and finish projects. One of those tools was Notion, which initially helped me understand how I work. I recently came across the idea of “autistic inertia” and “monotropism” which resonated with me, as it focuses on momentum carrying our thoughts forward. In this article, I discuss my journey with inertia, productivity tools, and how I navigate the challenges of running a business with these insights.

Read More »

Navigating Change as a Neurodiverse Business Owner

Change is hard. We all know that. Whether it’s a change in our personal or professional life, transitions can be challenging, anxiety-provoking, and sometimes overwhelming. But what if there was a way to make it easier? What if there was a way to navigate change with ease and efficiency? That’s where Transitional Systems come in.

Read More »

Get the Most Out of Your ChatGPT – The Right Prompts Make All the Difference

ChatGPT isn’t a replacement for human intelligence. The content it generates is only as good as the prompts you feed it. To get the most out of it, you’ll need to craft your questions in a way that provides context and specificity. Put in the effort to make sure it’s clear what you want, and most of all: make sure your prompts are helpful and actionable. Clear, concise, and actionable prompts not only ensure that the content is actually useful, but they can also help kick-start the creative process!

Read More »

Redefining Productivity

If you’re feeling guilty about your productivity, you’re not alone. There is an obsession with being hyper-productive and getting more done. However, productivity is about more than just completing tasks. It’s about developing and leading yourself in the direction you want to go. The key is to find a way of working that is in service to the best possible version of you.

Read More »

Got An Impossible Problem?