I love putting things into order (probably that is the reason why I call my self a problem-solver). There are areas in my life, where I am kind of happy with my performance (on the other hand always questioning how can I do better there) but also there are areas where I still struggle.
Yesterday I realised that those areas where I do better, seems like to have more system in it.
Systems are great. Without them, we are basically unable to perform anything. What is also great about the systems, is that more you execute them, more “natural” they becomes to you. You can even get to the point, where execution of systems are so automatic, that you are actually not aware of the steps which they contain.
You know what is a great example of this? Tying laces on your boots.
You may remember, that when your parents tried to teach you the system, it was really hard for you. You had to be really conscious about the process. But you learned it. And 20 years after practising it every day, you can’t even describe what are the steps for tying your laces.
Now, imagine that you can do this in any area of your life. Imagine, that you can find a system, how to generate more money each month which does not require your presence. If you actually build this system, you reach the point, where money is not a problem for you anymore.
It seems like systems and their automation is an ultimate way to freedom. This might sound really contra-intuitive but you are actually more free, if you build a system for your personal finance and decide to follow it, rather than buy fancy shoes which you did not plan to buy this month.
Our first impression when restricting our selfs is: “How can I be free, if I do not allow my self to buy those shoes, which I badly want today?”. Well, my answer would be: “Are you truly free?”
Are you a free person if you are willing to trade your financial freedom for pair of shoes, which brings you… what? Gratification from your colleagues that you look awesome wearing them? In that case, aren’t you just slave of your ego, which is starving for gratification and approval from others? Is this the freedom, that you are talking about?
Being free also requires to freely choose to sacrifice things in order to achieve desired goals.
So my advice would be to really think about your values and goals. If you value new shoes more that financial freedom (which is not that hard to achieve) it is more than ok. But, please be conscious that this is the case.
Thank you for reading.