Viewing Yourself as System: A Key to Managing Complexity

The concept of viewing yourself as a system has dramatically improved my capacity to handle the various challenges and stressors in my life. In committing to significant goals, this has been one of the most powerful tools aiding me in my journey. Instead of thinking about yourself as just "you"—that mindful conscious entity somewhere behind your eyeballs—consider seeing yourself as a series of integrated system modules, each with a unique function and particular outcome.

This shift in perspective has allowed me to disconnect areas of my life where I may have challenges from areas that are working perfectly. By breaking life into smaller, manageable components, I can improve each one separately and avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed by everything all at once.

Inputs, Outputs, and Processing: The Foundation of System Thinking

When I taught computer science earlier in my career, one of the fundamental concepts was understanding systems as having three major components: inputs, outputs, and processing. The system receives inputs, processes them, and then produces an output. It’s a simple construct, but incredibly powerful when applied to life.

For example, you can take something like your sleep. If you consider "sleep" as a separate system, you can evaluate its effectiveness. Are you waking up feeling rested? If not, then perhaps the inputs—your pre-sleep habits, environment, or diet—need adjusting. By focusing on sleep as a system, you can address it independently, without letting the rest of your life’s stressors bleed into it.

Compartmentalization: Tackling Life’s Tasks One System at a Time

This method works because of compartmentalization. Each function of your life can be treated as its own distinct system. Whether it’s your writing process, daily exercise, or maintaining your vehicle, each area can be evaluated separately. For example, I have a system for writing. Every time I sit down to write, I follow a set routine. But I can step back and evaluate that system. If the results aren’t what I want, I tweak the inputs—maybe I change my writing environment or adjust my schedule. Small changes in one system can lead to big improvements, without needing to overhaul my entire approach to life.

When you treat every responsibility as its own system, you prevent the overwhelming feeling that everything is piling up at once. You can isolate each system and ask: Is this working? If not, what adjustments can I make? And if a particular system is too burdensome or inefficient, why not outsource it? If the input is the same and the output improves, then there’s nothing wrong with handing over control of certain tasks.

The Power of Iteration: Small Adjustments Lead to Big Gains

Viewing myself as a system has given me the freedom to embrace iteration. Just like a software developer refines code, I refine my habits and processes. Systems don’t need to be perfect from the start—they need to be adaptable. And that’s the key: you don’t have to be locked into the same patterns. You can improve over time by adjusting one small piece at a time.

Take my daily writing, for example. I didn’t get it right at first. I’ve had to iterate on this system for years. I evaluate it, make small changes, and watch for results. Sometimes the changes are so minor that they feel insignificant, but over time, they add up. Each system becomes more efficient, more aligned with what I need to accomplish, and I can measure progress objectively.

Objectivity: Removing Emotion from Evaluation

Another benefit of this systems approach is the ability to evaluate objectively. When you look at yourself as a collection of systems, it becomes easier to measure effectiveness without being weighed down by emotion. If something’s not working, you don’t take it personally—you simply adjust the system.

If my productivity is down at work, I don’t spiral into self-doubt. I assess the "work system" and ask: What’s not working? Perhaps my inputs are off. Maybe I’m allowing too many distractions, or I haven’t set clear goals. By evaluating and adjusting, I improve the output without feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to be perfect.

Managing Stress with Systems Thinking

One of the greatest advantages of treating yourself as a system is how it helps manage stress. Instead of seeing your life as a chaotic whirlwind of responsibilities, you can compartmentalize each task and evaluate it on its own merits. The stress diminishes when you realize that each area of life has its own inputs, processes, and outputs. You don’t need to fix everything at once—you can work on one system at a time.

Even when something isn’t working—whether it’s your sleep, productivity, or relationships—you don’t need to see yourself as failing. You just recognize that one system is malfunctioning. You focus on that, fix the inputs, and make adjustments. It’s a much more constructive way to handle life’s inevitable ups and downs.

Conclusion: One System at a Time

Viewing life as a series of systems has allowed me to stay grounded, reduce stress, and make continuous improvements. Each system operates independently, and each one can be optimized without the burden of overhauling everything at once. This mindset has given me the freedom to iterate, evaluate objectively, and focus on small improvements that lead to big gains over time.

Ultimately, treating yourself as a system allows for flexibility and growth. You’re not stuck with one way of doing things—you can adjust and refine your approach, system by system. And in doing so, you can achieve your goals, manage stress, and build a life that’s both fulfilling and adaptable. The system doesn’t need to be perfect, but it does need to be adaptable. That’s what’s helped me continue my journey—one system at a time.