Some people joke that implementing systematic thinking and behaviour could be seen as being a little OCD. While that may partially be true, I see benefits of having systems and to me, it makes complete sense to have them if you want to succeed at something.
Let’s use my husband Quentin as an example. Sorry darling.
Quentin places a high priority on working out and staying fit. He has his work schedule set up to accommodate his morning gym visit. In fact, he has it written down in his calendar as an appointment so when he’s making his work appointments, he sees that that block of time is already taken.
His after work routine is like CLOCKWORK. I am not kidding.
He comes in, fills up the Keurig water container (that I have emptied all day long), tidies the kitchen, fills up his water bottle with BCAA’s and sets it in the fridge. Then he goes into the bedroom to lay out his workout clothes and his little printed workout sheet for the next morning (see exhibit a). He charges his iPod (and yes he just crushed it the other day with a 75 pound weight!) and lays it on top of his gym clothes and places his runners on the floor.
The whole process of systematically setting himself up the night before is like a trigger in his brain that tells him what he is going to do the next morning.
It’s hands on.
He’s prepping and organizing. He won’t have to take time in the morning away from his workout to tidy the kitchen or fill up the coffee maker or decide what to wear.
It’s visual.
Every time he goes into the bathroom, he sees his workout clothes there. He knows he’s going to the gym the next day. We’ve been married for 24 years and he has worked out for 24 years.
I’d say his system is working.
When we adhere to healthy systems we feel a sense of order and accomplishment that can increase our well-being. A system can get a really great idea out of your head and down into some practical steps that will actually activate change to happen.
I’ve worked with many people who tell me that they long to change. They have a profound desire to lose weight or to get fit, however once their initial motivation wanes, they find themselves skipping workouts and sabotaging their nutrition.
Implementing a system can help with this.
An author by the name of Scott Adams has a very harsh, blanket statement about systems:
Losers have goals and winners have systems. ~Scott Adams
That’s harsh. What do you think about that?
I think that goal setting is important too but for those who actually reach their goals, it is highly likely that it was system that got them there.
In terms of increasing your health and wellness, here are a few systems that may work for you:
- prepare your healthy lunch the night before
- diarize your workouts on a calendar
- set out your workout clothes the night before
- schedule a day to meet a friend for a weekly walk
- wake up in the morning and set your intentions for the day
- write out fitness goals on a piece of paper and look at it daily
- set a reminder on your cell to move every hour
- always fill up with gas on the way home after work (or in the morning if you exercise after work) so your car is ready
- start the day off with a tall glass of ice water, every morning
- take 5-10 minutes to do some mindful breathing or meditation, every morning
- don’t eat in from of the tv, make a plan to eat mindfully
- don’t eat your meals in the car
- set your oatmeal, frying pan, spoon and bowl out the night before
- prepare your water bottle the evening before
- chop up veggies and have them in the fridge
I asked my client what she does everyday that leads to increased health and wellness. She said everyday she has a healthy breakfast. Well, that’s great! That’s a system that she has implemented and it is now a healthy habit.
Ask yourself this question: What do I do everyday that leads to increased health? Let’s share some of our ideas and what works for each of us in the comments below.
When motivation wanes, rely on structure. Structure will be there is we have set some good systems in place. It is definitely work to make those a habit, but the results are worth it.
** Don’t forget to sign up for our new contest, Giving not Gaining. There are some great prizes up for grabs and it is a helpful way to stay on track for the holidays…a system if you will 😉 SIGN UP HERE
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