Have you ever found yourself stressed at all the things you need to do in your life and the little amount of time you had to do them?

I am currently in the midst of a program called 75 hard. It’s 75 days of 

• 2 X 45 minute workouts [1 outdoors]
• 1 Gallon of water 
• 10 pages a day 
• Diet of choice [no cheat days]
• No booze 
• Progress photo 

And on top of this – I have my business that I am running and a large consulting client I need to focus 20 hours of my week on. Trying to remember all of this would not only add stress to my life – but it would take away the mental energy I needed for both my business and clients. 

As someone that nerds out on systems in businesses, I started recognizing the importance and benefits systems can have to our personal life too.

Businesses create systems to simplify and streamline their workflow, allowing them to build and grow. And so I started thinking…. If we could do this in our businesses, why couldn’t we do the same for our personal lives as well?

In the quest for a balanced and stress free life, creating systems can be a game-changer. These systems aim to minimize decision fatigue, streamline daily tasks, and free up mental energy and time for the things that truly matter.

Creating systems introduces a level of certainty in our lives. By establishing routines, we create a predictable and efficient framework that guides our daily actions. This predictability doesn’t just reduce stress; it fosters a sense of security that empowers us to tackle challenges head-on.

So what did I do to help me navigate my 75 hard journey? I created a system.

75 HARD SYSTEM

• 5:45am progress photo
• 6am morning workout 
• 2pm afternoon workout outdoors 
• 1 Gallon of water: I have 5 x 750ml jugs of water stored in my fridge and 5 different alarms set throughout the day
  • 9am bottle 1
  • 12pm bottle 2
  • 3pm  bottle 3
  • 6pm  bottle 4
  • 9pm  bottle 5
• 10pm 10 pages of non fiction 
• Diet and No booze : No system needed because it’s something I need to refrain from, not something I need to complete. 

GUILTY: When I first started, I didn’t have a time assigned for the photo… and guess what happened? On week 4 while I was sick, I missed a day. Now… it gets it’s own devoted time slot. 

If you’re repeating the same tasks week by week – put it on a system so your mental energy can be reserved for something more important.

Here are five practical strategies to help you systematize your personal life:

1. Weekly Meal Planning and Prepping: Choose one day a week to plan your meals for the upcoming days. Based on this plan, create a comprehensive grocery list and complete your shopping in a single trip. Preparing some meals ahead of time or prepping key ingredients can make weekday cooking simpler. This approach not only conserves time and diminishes the need for daily decision-making but also supports healthy eating habits and financial savings.

2. Establish Daily Morning and Night Routines: Set in place consistent routines for your mornings and evenings. A productive morning routine might encompass exercise, meditation, and setting the day’s priorities, while an evening routine could involve activities like reading, journaling, and planning for the next day. These routines signal to your brain when it’s time to start the day or begin unwinding, thus enhancing productivity and improving sleep quality.

3. Financial Management System: Automate your bill payments and set a monthly appointment to review your finances. Utilizing budgeting apps can help you monitor your expenditure and savings objectives efficiently. This strategy reduces the likelihood of late payments and keeps you informed about your financial well-being, easing the stress related to money management.

4. Decluttering and Organizing Schedule: Instead of attempting to declutter your space in one overwhelming sweep, break the task into smaller, more manageable activities spread over time. For example, allocate the first Saturday of each month to tidying a particular area of your home. This method ensures your living space remains orderly and enjoyable without becoming a source of stress.

5. Email and Digital Clutter Management: Develop a routine for managing your inbox and digital documents. This might involve designating specific times for email checks, utilizing filters and folders for organization, and unsubscribing from unhelpful newsletters. Establish a clear filing system for your digital files and regularly clean out unnecessary data. Keeping digital clutter at bay can markedly reduce stress by making important information more accessible and decreasing the overwhelm of a cluttered inbox and disorganized files.

Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Begin with one system, see the difference, and gradually implement more into your life. Incorporating these systems into your everyday life not only streamlines your daily responsibilities but will open up more opportunities for you to engage in activities that bring you happiness and relaxation.

What area in your life would you benefit the most from being be on autopilot? Whether it’s meal planning, decluttering, or managing your finances, begin your journey towards a more organized and fulfilling life. Connect with me on instagram and share your progress