How to Make Systems Work for You (Not the Other Way Around)

Ever feel like you’re drowning in your own routines, in your habits?You set up a system to make life smoother—color-coded planners, habit trackers, a perfectly curated morning routine—but somehow, instead of making things easier, it just feels like you've given yourself more work.

You know what I’m talking about, right? Because I’ve been there. You start out strong, maybe a couple of days, maybe even a few weeks, but then the system you built to help you start feeling like a chore instead of the yes, this is it moment you were hoping for.

Now you’re wondering, Wait… wasn’t this supposed to make my life easier?

It’s Not You, It’s the System

Here’s the thing: The problem isn’t you—it’s the system itself. We often build routines based on what we think should work instead of what actually fits our real, messy, unpredictable, crazy-ass lives.

Because let’s be real—life be life-ing. And the internet is full of productivity gurus with perfect systems: the 5 AM wake-up calls, two-hour morning rituals, elaborate meal prep strategies. But if those don’t align with your energy, your schedule, or your personality, they’re just extra stress disguised as structure.

A Good System Works FOR You, Not Against You

A system should support your energy, not drain it. If it’s making life harder, it’s time to tweak it.

Your morning routine should feel like a warm-up, not a test of willpower. Your meal planning should help you eat better, not make you dread the kitchen (or another same sad meal). Your productivity system should adapt to your life, not force you to change who you are.

And it has to fit the season you’re in—because life isn’t static, and your systems shouldn’t be either.

Try This Instead: Making Systems Fit YOUR Life

If a system isn’t working, it doesn’t mean you failed—it just means it’s time for an upgrade. Here’s how to troubleshoot it:

Step 1: Pick one routine that should make your life easier but doesn’t.

Maybe it’s your meal planning, workout routine, or how you organize your to-do list. Maybe it’s your bedtime routine or the steps you take to get yourself (and the kids) out the door in the morning.

Step 2: Identify the step that makes it feel heavy or stressful.

Is your meal prep too time-consuming? Does your to-do list feel overwhelming? Are your workouts draining instead of energizing?

Step 3: Adjust it to fit your reality—not what a productivity expert says should work.

Maybe meal prep looks like keeping easy snacks on hand instead of making full meals ahead of time. Maybe your workouts need to be shorter and more flexible—five minutes here, ten minutes there. Maybe your to-do list needs a “Top 3” section instead of a never-ending checklist.

For example, I recently went through this with my morning routine. It was a pain in the ass. Getting up in the morning is already a struggle for me, but I finally found something that works: a sunrise alarm clock. It starts glowing 20 minutes before my actual alarm, helping my body wake up naturally. Once I’m up, I check in with myself, take inventory of my mood and energy, and decide if I need a quick stretch, some bed yoga, or a short meditation. That one tweak made my mornings so much better.

I also learned that keeping my to-do list simple—just three top-priority tasks per day—works way better for me than an overwhelming, never-ending checklist. Some days, it’s one thing for me, one for my household, and one for my business. And that’s it. Simple, doable, and stress-free.

It’s the small tweaks that make the biggest difference.

What’s Next?

Have you ever had a system that just wasn’t working for you? Hit reply and tell me about it! Or if you need a little help troubleshooting your routines, check out The Game Plan Check-In, and let’s make your systems actually work for you, not against you.

Because life is hard enough—your systems shouldn’t make it harder.

The Game Plan Check-In

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