The Secret to Success is Systems

"Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets." – W. Edwards Deming

What do you think of when you hear the word design? Most people might picture graphic design, architecture, or fashion. But design goes far beyond aesthetics; it’s the invisible structure behind everything we see, use, and experience. Whether it’s the clothes on your back, the software on your computer, or the complex patterns in nature - every element is intentionally crafted to serve a purpose. Look closely, and you’ll see that design permeates both the man-made and the natural world, shaping outcomes in ways we often overlook.

So, if everything around us is designed to perform a specific function, what about the systems in our lives? Just like a tree is engineered by nature to grow toward the light, the systems we create for ourselves are designed - consciously or not - to yield specific outcomes. In the words of W. Edwards Deming, “Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets.” This principle applies equally to our personal and professional lives, and it holds a powerful truth: If we aren’t getting the results we want, it’s because our current systems are working perfectly to deliver the outcomes they were designed for. And that does not mean you will always like the results your system gets.

Think of any successful person you admire, whether a visionary entrepreneur, an accomplished artist, or a high-performing athlete. Their achievements aren’t typically the result of sporadic efforts; they’re the outcomes of well-designed systems. Successful people understand that systems are like scaffolding that supports our goals. They don’t leave their success to chance; instead, they build intentional frameworks that guide their actions, minimize friction, and increase their likelihood of reaching their aspirations.

We all have systems in place, but not all of them are intentional. Some are the product of habits, routines, and defaults that we’ve accumulated over time. Left unchecked, these unconscious systems can steer us off course. The good news is that any system can be redesigned to create new, desired results.

The Power of Intentional System Design

If you want peace, you can design a system to achieve it. If you seek financial abundance, fulfilling relationships, or a sense of purpose, you can create systems to make them a reality. But designing an effective system requires a few critical components:

Clarity of Vision: Before building any system, you need to know exactly what you want to achieve. This means defining your goals and envisioning what success looks like for you. Clear, measurable goals are like any system's north star, guiding its actions and decisions.

Consistency of Action: Systems are only as effective as the consistency of their execution. A daily routine, for example, is a system designed to bring structure to your day. The key to its success isn’t just in the design but in the consistent actions that follow. Small, repetitive actions accumulate over time, producing substantial results that align with your larger vision.

Room for Iteration: No system is perfect from the start. For example, when designing a product, creating systems that work for you involves experimentation and iteration. Pay attention to the feedback loop—what’s working and what isn’t? Refine, adjust, and optimize until the system aligns perfectly with your desired outcomes.

Simplicity and Sustainability: The best systems are those that are simple enough to sustain over time. Overly complex systems are difficult to maintain and are more likely to fail. A sustainable system is one that you can realistically integrate into your life without constant mental strain. It should simplify your path to success, not complicate it.

Redesigning Your Life’s Systems

If you don’t like the results you’re seeing in any area of your life, it might be time to take a closer look at the underlying system. Are you relying on habits that don’t serve you? Are your routines intentionally designed, or are they leftovers of old habits? Remember, systems aren’t static; they can evolve to serve your goals better as you grow and your priorities shift.

Take a moment to reflect on the systems in your life. Are they propelling you toward success, fulfillment, and peace? Or are they holding you back? Designing effective systems isn’t about adding layers of complexity; it’s about simplifying, aligning with your values, and making success the default outcome of your daily actions.

Designing systems with intention is the foundation of a successful, meaningful life. The secret lies in taking ownership of the results you want to create and crafting a plan to get there. By aligning your systems with your values and goals, you build a life that reflects your deepest aspirations.

If you’re ready to take a step back and assess your systems, give me a shout, and we will work together to see things differently. The power to change is in your hands. With the right systems in place, success isn’t just a possibility; it’s an inevitability.