Finding Freedom in Discipline
Building Systems to Find Joy and Freedom
Reading time: 3-4 minutes
Hi! everybody, I hope you are all doing well. And a thrilled new year! I hope this year brings great success and helps you achieve your goals.
So, as a creator and solopreneur, there's quite a lot of juggling around—researching, planning, writing, designing, and whatnot, right? And all these tasks might make you burn out easily.
So how do we juggle all of this and still find time?
That's where building systems in your life comes into play.
They say: Set systems, not just goals.
Systems make the process easier, more predictable, and less dependent on how you "feel" on a given day. They might be habits, hacks, or frameworks. Whatever you call them, they work. And I'll show you how.
Suppose you have three things you must accomplish today. What do you do? You will try to do those things, of course.
For instance, I was the one; I did not even notice when I started getting distracted with my work. I start work, then suddenly, I check my phone and scroll for a few minutes, and then, bam! That so-called quick break became 30 minutes. Now, I am done with the task, but I am sated by a feeling of guilt.
Distractions waste time, energy, and concentration. And when those little distractions multiply, you are left to spend. The worst part? Feeling like you didn't do anything at the end of the day.
So what can we do?
Forcing productivity: People try to force themselves to work harder. They guilt-trip themselves into working longer hours, but that just leads to burnout.
Motivation reliance: Some people feel the need to be "inspired" to get things done. They wait for the right mood, the right setting, and the right energy. Spoiler: motivation is unreliable.
Multitasking: People assume they can handle multiple tasks at once, but it actually slows them down. Studies show that multitasking kills focus and productivity.
The Problem Pusher: Some just try to push everything to tomorrow, hoping that someday they'll wake up and suddenly feel more productive. (You know how that ends.)
The solution? Creating systems.
This is what I have been applying to regain my control of my time and my focus:
Focus on Small Wins
- Instead of finishing a gigantic list of to-dos, break things into **micro-goals.
- Writing 50 words a day? That's a win.
- Finishing one task before starting another? That's a win.
- I have been writing this article piece by piece daily. And today, I got to finish it. That's proof that small wins compound into big results.
Create a Distraction-Free Zone
- Your environment matters. Cluttered workspace? Cluttered mind.
- Disable notifications, and use website blockers. Set a clear workspace before you begin work.
- There are apps called **Forest, Freedom, or Cold Turkey** that can help block distractions.
Use the "Lotus Method" - this is something I got to know recently and it does help.
This one changed my approach. It is simple:
Let go of resistance. The more you force yourself to focus, the harder it becomes. Instead, observe your distractions, acknowledge them, and move on.
One thing at a time.
Focus all your energy on one thing and give it all your attention.
Trust the process.
The lotus takes time to bloom, and your progress takes time too. Stay patient and trust that every step forward counts.
Set Clear Goals and Deadlines
Take out a pen and paper and write down your top three goals for the day. Takes only three minutes.
Establish deadlines. Although they may be self-made, they push a sense of time.
Don't be such a stick in the mud. The deadlines help pull you up for the stretch not to sweat yourself out.
Be Proud of Yourself
Did a large piece of work? Take the week off and have fun.
enjoy yourself
Used your system consistently for one week? Okay, so what? There is ‘enjoyment found in enjoying the ride, after all’
I used to care about just getting one issue of the newsletter done, and not trying to get ten things done at once. That single endeavor not only cleared up my mind but also gave birth to two brand-new ideas for my next issues. **One win created another.**
Momentum is a real thing. When you've gotten even just one thing done, your brain craves the next challenge. And that's how systems create consistency.
What I think will work (small action Steps)
If you face distractions and inconsistency, do this today:
Three Priorities You Want to Get Done Today":
What are the three most important things to finish today?
Keep simple, realistic, and achievable
One Task Commitment
Use the Pomodoro method: Work for 25 min,
and take a break for 5 min.
Don't do multiple things at once—focus on one task, complete it, and move on.
Reflect and Celebrate
End the day recognizing what you did.
No matter how minimal it was—one thing matters
It is not being a robot to find freedom in discipline. It's making small, intentional decisions each day that will set you up for success. The more you systematize your habits, the easier life gets.
Let's build, grow, and hustle smart.
thanks for reading!