How to Execute: 3 simple systems (+ 12 habits) to upgrade how you operate

The hardest thing about self-employment is getting yourself to take action. 

Not necessarily on client work. 

But on the (often scarier) projects and ideas that move your business forward and help you realize your dreams. 

Mainly because there is severe discomfort in growth. And the emotional whiplash of trying to achieve big goals can wreak havoc on our confidence levels. 

But the day-to-day running of a business has its challenges, too.  

• keeping track of tasks and projects, 
• making good (and fast) decisions,
• communicating effectively,
• staying organized, 
• avoiding distractions, 
• Getting. It. Done.

Delivering good work while juggling everything else is difficult. 

And so, the ability to execute (and execute well) becomes essential.

Execution is everything, duh!

Whether it’s the hard skills involved with doing the work or the soft skills required to be more effective—how well you manage yourself is a huge factor in your success. 

So much so that it can make the difference between flourishing and flailing in self-employment.

But, as you’ve likely discovered, executing independently is significantly more challenging than in a traditional work setting. There’s no boss breathing down your neck, no coworkers to help you catch up, and no one taking note of whether you actually show up every day. 

You are on your own.

And this, my friend, means that you need more than just your expertise to experience sustainable, long-term success. This is especially true if you want to move beyond client work and make space for more fulfilling and creative projects. 

So, how can you boost your execution skills? 

You need a self-made support system, STAT!

When we think of a “support system,” we often think of people.

A partner can help us remember why we started (and should keep going). 
A mentor can help us make the right moves (and say no to the wrong ones).
A peer can help us stay accountable (and remain sane and connected). 

But while it’s great to surround yourself with the right people—they are not enough. 

The most effective support system you can create is one you don’t need to rely on anyone else for. 

Your best chance for success is cultivating a specific collection of habits, systems, and skills that make it easier for you to do the right work at the right time.

And get the results you want. 

It’s certainly not a cure-all. But it is a catalyst. 

A solid self-made support system helps you: 

• Connect your big-picture goals with your day-to-day tasks 
• Urges you to take action daily (with the right thing at the right time) 
• Facilitates serving clients and running projects seamlessly and stress-free 
• Compels you to check in regularly with your progress and course-correct when necessary 
• Drives you to produce real, tangible results by consistently implementing ideas and applying new knowledge and skills. 

Our best systems back us up on our worst days. And make the good days 10 times better. 

You might still battle with your inner critic… 
You won’t always reach your goals as quickly as you’d like…
And you’ll likely still reach expert levels of procrastination now and then. 

But you win more consistently by having tools that help you “get it done”—despite all that.  

This is why I want to share a behind-the-scenes look at my self-made support system (cultivated from 7+ years of self-employment)—to give you a leg up on creating your own. 

From Dreamer to Doer: Habits that support your best self, support your best business.

The power of positive habits is undeniable. 

Without a carefully curated and intentional selection of positive habits and routines— procrastination and poor performance are more likely to crack your focus and kill your productivity. 

Good habits help manage your mood, emotions, and mentality. 

They can make you physically fit and remain in good health. They can also spur the most mind-blowing progress you’ve ever experienced. 

But only if you remember one thing… 

To create sustainable habits—focus on output NOT outcome. 

The key to habit-building is to focus on the system, not the goal. 

There is a huge difference between saying you want to exercise more to lose 10kg—and setting the intention of 20 minutes of exercise 4 days a week. 

The same goes for wanting to “write more” so you can publish a book—and instead committing to writing 1000 words daily. 

If you focus on output, the outcome is inevitable. 

But if you focus on the outcome, the output is ignored.

So, your first job in creating your self-made support system is to design a few habits that will unlock the person you need to become to reach your goals. And make it abundantly clear what you need to do every day to stick to that intention. 

Below is a mix of second-nature habits and ones I actively cultivate (I still need help remaining consistent with several of them!)

But they all serve one purpose—encouraging my best self to shine through as often as possible so I can do more of the things I say I want to do.

Twelve enriching habits to unlock your best self (and the output required):

1. Good sleep: Go to bed at 8:30 pm and sleep by 10 pm. No coffee after 12 pm. With this schedule, I wake naturally at about 6:30 am, which works for me. I recently upgraded my pillow to something for belly sleepers, too. And we’re lucky enough to sleep with air conditioning, so it’s always cool. 
2. Walk daily: I spend 45 minutes walking my kid to school and then taking my dog to the park or around the block. I use this time to read nonfiction (audiobooks mostly) or engage on social media with my online friends and mentors. I also get my coffee from my local cafe. On other days, it’s simply thinking time—to prepare for the day or sort through my head.  
3. Exercise 4 times a week (to work up a sweat): I take a 20-minute pilates/yoga/barre class at home in the morning or at lunch using the FitOn app. If I don’t get this in, a second walk is still an acceptable effort, as is stretching in the kitchen while dinner is cooking…I would like to start incorporating more strength training, too.   
4. Mindfulness (non-thinking time!): Upon waking up, I go outside to sit and focus on my breath for at least 3 minutes. If I miss the outside expedition, I’ll do it in the shower. Frequent stops during the day to take “one mindful breath” also serve me well, especially on more full-on days.
5. Journaling: Daily reflection and check-ins, either through morning pages, the 5-Minute Journal, or 750words.com. I have also recently started a weekly review scrapbook (fun so far! Especially buying the stationery.)
6. Reading: I read 20 minutes of nonfiction during the day and ~1 hour of fiction after dinner and at night in bed. I usually have a mix of ebooks and audiobooks in my reading lineup (to read hands and eyes free is such a privilege in our modern era!). I still buy physical books, but they’re mostly for show (or reading in the car on long trips.)  
7. Consult my physical Kanban board: Every workday, I use my board to tell me what I’m doing first, next, and later. I reset it weekly, so decisions have already been made about the work; I simply have to consult it (which isn’t hard as it’s staring me in the face). Keep reading to learn more about how BIG a factor Kanban plays in my ability to execute.
8. Writing: I aim to write for 50 minutes five days a week. I prefer a time constraint rather than a word count, and I make sure it’s done first thing. I tend to use the 9 a.m.- 10 a.m. pocket of time after school drop-off, which works well for me. Some days, I can devote to writing longer. It depends on what’s on the schedule.
9. Snacks > large meals during the day: I hate feeling overly full, so I prefer to snack on fruit, yogurt, cheese, and crackers throughout the day. Leftover meat from dinner is also a good option. I usually take my first snack break at about 12 pm. I only have one coffee before then.
10. Cook (almost) every day: I make dinner at home six days a week, and we adhere to our food rules; high protein and whole foods are at the core. I experiment with new recipes on Sundays when all food rules are lifted. Friday night is “takeout night” for a bit of relief from the cooking.
11. Daily wind down: I take a decent break around 2 p.m. in preparation for school pick-up (I’ll read my book, potter around, or do a quick pilates session). After the workday is done, I cook dinner to tell my mind and body that I’m done with work for the day. This is followed by our regular night routine: I feed the animals, then it’s shower time, and I usually do something crafty or creative with my son while watching TV after 7 p.m.
12. Sundays: This is my most significant (and long-running) family ritual. Sundays are entirely work-free. There is no planning for next week, checking emails, or responding to outside notifications. It is a 100% guilt-free day off devoted to fun, family, and feeling good (and naps). 

You need a healthy brain and body to do your best work. 

As a solopreneur (or whatever you wanna call yourself), it’s a no-brainer to create habits that help you: 

• sleep well, 
• eat well, 
• hydrate, 
• exercise, 
• socialize, 
• create, 
• spend time in nature, 
• read books, and 
• calm your mind. 

Whether your habits are good or bad, they have an immediate (and noticeable) effect on your everyday life. 

They’re either helping or inhibiting. 

As someone who has wrestled with anxiety and panic throughout my life, I can say for sure that your habits (mental, physical, and emotional) are the fundamental factor in figuring out how to live and work well despite how you might feel.

They will also make the difference in how quickly you can create more opportunities in your business (like more money, time, or freedom) so that the ideal life you dream of—becomes a reality.

Before we move on to what else goes into a solid self-made support system—to accompany your habits—consider these few questions first: 

• What everyday behaviors might be holding me back from getting what I want?
• What habits and practices will support my best work this year?
• What can I do to make it easier to be consistent?

For best results, infuse your everyday behaviors with plenty of intention.

The Doer’s Way: The path to consistency, confidence, and conquering procrastination

You can win the day with better habits.

But to win in business—you need better systems, too.

Systems are your secret to success. 

They’re like cheat codes for managing yourself—designed to help you do what you need to do faster, better, smarter… and more consistently. 

No matter how healthy and wonderful you feel, you still need ways to: 

• manage tasks and projects, 
• communicate well, and 
• run your business (and life alongside it!) 

Habits alone can’t help with that. 

Luckily for you (through significant trial and error), I have found a few simple (but powerful) systems that make it easier to show up and do your best work.

Protecting Your Priorities: 3 Simple Systems to Make it Easier to Get the Results YOU Want

As a freelancer who wants to diversify their income and move beyond client work—my main goal is to make time for business growth and creative projects. 

But as I’m sure you know, client work can get overwhelming and time-consuming. 

Failing to erect boundaries around that creeping workload can quickly get you stuck working only on other people’s priorities, projects, and dreams.

But I want to help you make YOUR projects your priority.

This is why I want to introduce you to three systems I use habitually in my business. I hope they will help you upgrade your operations, easily manage yourself and your tasks, and confidently execute your best ideas.  

Below, you’ll discover: 

1. An analog task management system to help you know what to work on and when. So you can beat procrastination and stay organized and on track.
2. A course correction and decision-making system to help set priorities, organize your week, and reflect on your progress. So you can maintain momentum, remain focused, and reduce decision fatigue.

3. An idea and project management system to help you shrink the gap between idea and execution. So you can connect your big-picture goals to your everyday activities. 

All three systems can work in tandem to help you focus, follow through, and feel better about where you spend your time, energy, and attention. 

(They certainly do for me!) 

#1: Daily use of a Personal Kanban board

What it is: A visual and tactile task management system displayed on your wall. 

What it’s best for: 

• staying organized, 
• keeping track of and displaying all tasks and ideas, 
• conquering procrastination, 
• reducing perfectionist tendencies; and 
• maintaining focus with an emphasis on finishing things. 

Key questions answered: 

• What am I doing today (first, next, and later)? 
• What else do I have on my plate this week? 
• What capacity do I have (where’s my wriggle room)?  

Personal Kanban is my absolute favorite system.

It’s a visual, tactile, and tech-free way to manage your everyday tasks (think: whiteboard with post-its, super fun!) 

It is a powerful keystone habit. 

And it is the engine that runs my entire business. 

It quickly and effectively captures tasks and ideas. It helps me focus and follow through. And I credit it for being the catalyst for curing my dream-killing procrastination and perfectionist issues. (It also instantly shut down the never-ending, time-wasting search for the “best productivity app.”) 

I love it so much that I teach other self-employed people how to use Personal Kanban (for free!). 

I encourage you to join my free Kanban mini-challenge here to learn how to start using it (and get it set up in the next 3 days!!).

#2:  Weekly retrospectives 

What it is: A short and straightforward weekly check-in (done on Mondays) to review the week before and decide what’s getting done in the week ahead. 

What’s it’s best for: 

• deliberate reflection, 
• course-correction, 
• maintaining enthusiasm, 
• boosting motivation, and 
• deciding what’s next and where to focus

Key questions answered: 

• What went well? 
• What didn’t? 
• What will the next week look like? 
• What’s the priority?

Retrospectives reduce doubt, disorganization, and decision fatigue.

If you often start your work week feeling scattered or unsure what to work on first, a weekly review can solve that. 

It’s the check-in that every self-employed person needs but often skips. Don’t be that person!

At the beginning of each week, hold a retrospective to: 

• Examine completed tasks from the prior week
• Acknowledge what went well and what could be improved 
• Celebrate victories, jobs well done, and tasks you truly enjoyed
• Learn from what you didn’t get done, where you hit roadblocks, and what drained you the most 
• Assign what’s ready and essential for the next week. 

This process is made considerably easier by using my physical Kanban board. I have all I need in plain sight (without digital distractions) to review my last week and set up the coming week. 

I hold my retrospectives on Monday. It’s the first thing I do for the week, and it takes less than 10 minutes to refresh my Kanban board. Once refreshed, I feel immediately more confident and capable of accomplishing my tasks for the next 5 days.

If you’d like some prompts to consider each week, here are several questions you can reflect on:

• What went well?
• What did I put off or avoid?
• What did I let interrupt my flow?
• How many high-value jobs did I get done?
• What tasks energized me, and what drained me?
• What task could I have broken down more to make it more doable?
• What bigger-picture goal was each task contributing to?
• What am I focusing on next? 

Do this every week, and you’ll quickly discover its astounding effect on your ability to show up, stay on track, and consistently produce your best work. 

#3: Six-Week Project Rounds 

What it is: Consistent, periodic project shaping and “big picture” progress review. 

What it’s best for: 

• addressing (and solving) problems 
• alleviating shiny object syndrome
• picking “the right idea”
• creating infallible focus
• driving results with clear deadlines

Key question answered: 

• What will the next six weeks look like? 
• What am I choosing to work on and make space for? 
• What is the outcome I wish to produce? 

Projects turn ideas into outcomes.

I’ve never been a fan of setting goals (they trigger the perfectionist in me).

Instead, I create short-term projects that are attached to a clear, meaningful deadline and desirable outcome. 

I design them to fit into a 6-week schedule. 

And each project is focused on solving one problem. 

In my initial years of self-employment, I used to get stuck thinking too far ahead or too long-term. But as I (painstakingly) learned—

Long-term thinking is terrific until we have to take the first step, which is when short-term thinking must dominate. 

With short-term projects, you force yourself to focus on what you can do right now with what you have. And this has been transformative for me. 

On a six-week schedule, I work on roughly seven projects a year.

The process of shaping a project is my “magic pill” for executing more. Whether it’s an idea, a course I’m working through, or a frustrating problem, having a simple set of steps to start working on it is incredibly empowering.

After years of struggling to follow through on ideas—often yielding to procrastination and perfectionism—this simple, repeatable system for executing my best ideas truly changed the game.

The great thing is that I use this same project-shaping system for creating client projects, too. I get nothing but positive feedback about how helpful having a clear project brief is. 

You can download my free guide to adopt this project-shaping system in your business. ↓

Everything takes practice. Persevere.

I often fall off the wagon with my “sweaty exercise” habit. 

It’s the easiest thing to leave off my morning routine and has been the most challenging habit to cultivate (my entire life!)

But the ONE thing I am great at—is getting back on the wagon. 

If I find that it’s been days since I did anything. I re-group and re-dedicate to my practice. I don’t reprimand or diminish myself.   

Not giving up is the real superpower. 

If you’ve struggled to maintain the habits you know will unlock your best self—this is your prompt to persevere. 

As long as you keep going, I can guarantee the good things you want in your life, and the results you desire in your business will transpire. 

But it takes a willingness to step off the ledge into uncertainty. And to default to an experimental mindset—so that even your worst doubts can’t derail you.

Our habits help us reach our goals; our systems help support us on our worst days. 

You need both to sustain success in self-employment. 

What’s a habit or system you can start to cultivate today? 

Try one of mine if you need some inspo, and let me know how it goes!

If you need a better task management system:

If you need a simple project management system: