Freedom and Systematic Thinking
Every once in awhile, I encounter someone who's resistant to the idea of implementing systems.
It's not that they're lazy or unable to see the advantages of systematic thinking.
They're hesitant to hop on the systems bandwagon because they're afraid it will limit their own flexibility and will choke off their ability to act freely and creatively.
That objection does have some prima facie appeal.
The idea of having key processes in your business and/or life "governed" by a system instead of maintaining the opportunity to address them on a flexible, creative basis undoubtedly sounds stifling to people.
A closer look at the objection, however, should make even the most free-spirited among us into systems advocates.
First, the very process of building systems rewards creative thinking.
Having unique perspectives and new ideas is one of the best ways to create an ongoing strategy that will really work.
Second, systems immediately create the one finite resource that everyone--especially those who make freedom a priority--wants: Time.
Good systems increase efficiency, streamlining processes in ways that reward their creators with more time to pursue other interests and pursuits.
In other words, a good system can give you the time to be even more unfettered and creative.
Third, there's no hard and fast rule that maintains you should use carefully planned systems in all situations.
As a big "systems guy", I'm an advocate of utilizing that kind of organization almost anywhere you can.
You don't need to be that "fanatical", though.
If there are certain parts of your life or business that, for whatever reason, you want to "leave open" to ad hoc approaches, you can do that.
You can leave room to "fly by the seat of your pants".
In some situations, that could even be a good thing.
Do systems restrict freedom? In the sense that they may limit the number of times you're confronting things without a strategy in mind, yes.
Overall, however, they actually provide a creative outlet while providing more time to flex one's creative muscles.
If you've been wary of become more systematized due to concerns about limiting your flexibility, you might want to take a closer look at what systems can really do for you.
It's not that they're lazy or unable to see the advantages of systematic thinking.
They're hesitant to hop on the systems bandwagon because they're afraid it will limit their own flexibility and will choke off their ability to act freely and creatively.
That objection does have some prima facie appeal.
The idea of having key processes in your business and/or life "governed" by a system instead of maintaining the opportunity to address them on a flexible, creative basis undoubtedly sounds stifling to people.
A closer look at the objection, however, should make even the most free-spirited among us into systems advocates.
First, the very process of building systems rewards creative thinking.
Having unique perspectives and new ideas is one of the best ways to create an ongoing strategy that will really work.
Second, systems immediately create the one finite resource that everyone--especially those who make freedom a priority--wants: Time.
Good systems increase efficiency, streamlining processes in ways that reward their creators with more time to pursue other interests and pursuits.
In other words, a good system can give you the time to be even more unfettered and creative.
Third, there's no hard and fast rule that maintains you should use carefully planned systems in all situations.
As a big "systems guy", I'm an advocate of utilizing that kind of organization almost anywhere you can.
You don't need to be that "fanatical", though.
If there are certain parts of your life or business that, for whatever reason, you want to "leave open" to ad hoc approaches, you can do that.
You can leave room to "fly by the seat of your pants".
In some situations, that could even be a good thing.
Do systems restrict freedom? In the sense that they may limit the number of times you're confronting things without a strategy in mind, yes.
Overall, however, they actually provide a creative outlet while providing more time to flex one's creative muscles.
If you've been wary of become more systematized due to concerns about limiting your flexibility, you might want to take a closer look at what systems can really do for you.
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