Build Efficiency Systems
Strategies and Insights for Success
Success results from the efficiency systems we create. I learned this lesson while coping with the complexities that come with long-term imprisonment.
While serving 26 years in federal prison, I had to build frameworks for growth and discipline without access to technology or external resources. I relied upon a pen, paper, and books. I created systems to help me learn, grow, and eventually teach others. Those same principles now guide me in society, where I use modern tools like artificial intelligence to optimize my work.
This blog will show you how effective systems can transform your life, whether you're navigating adversity or striving to reach your next level of success. I’ll share the key concepts behind building systems, practical strategies to create them, and how to overcome common challenges. By the end, you’ll have the tools to design your own system for growth and achievement.
1. Clarity of Purpose
A system without a clear purpose is like a map without a destination. Identify why you need the system—a specific goal or problem it should address. For me, I set a clear goal while I served my sentence. I wanted to prepare for success after release. Every system I created, from studying leadership principles to crafting curriculum, revolved around that purpose.
2. Consistency Over Perfection
Systems don’t need to be perfect, but we must be able to use them so that we can scale progress, repeating the process daily. Like these daily blogs I publish. Consistency builds momentum, and momentum creates results. Each day in prison, I committed to writing lessons, reading books, and documenting what I learned. Over time, those repeated actions compounded into big outcomes—finished books, teaching materials, and personal transformation.
3. Tools and Resources
Your tools define your system’s effectiveness. Back then, my tools were simple—books, pen, and paper. Today, they include cutting-edge AI tools that save me time and enhance my productivity. Choose tools that align with your goals and simplify your process.
4. Feedback and Improvement
No system is static. Regularly evaluate its effectiveness and make adjustments. For example, when I noticed that teaching specific concepts resonated more with others during my curriculum-building process, I refined those lessons to maximize impact.
5. Scalability
A good system should be both functional and scalable. Once it works, you should be able to expand or adapt the system for greater impact. My personal systems in prison eventually became formal curriculums for larger groups, and now they shape the programs of Prison Professors.
Get Started
Step 1: Define Your Goal
Start with clarity. Write down exactly what you want to achieve—be it improving your health, growing your business, or learning a new skill. Be specific. Instead of saying, "I want to get healthier," try, "I want to build a system where I exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week."
Step 2: Identify System Inputs and Tools
Determine what resources you need to sustain your system. These could be time, tools, or even supportive people.
- Example for Time Management: Use apps like Trello or calendar blocking to organize tasks.
- Example for Learning: Identify specific books, online courses, or platforms like Jasper for efficiency.
Step 3: Break It Down
Effective systems rely on actionable, repeatable steps.
- My Personal Example in Prison:
- Set daily learning goals (e.g., read 50 pages).
- Write reflections on leadership lessons.
- Translate those reflections into teaching points.
- Modern Example:
- Schedule dedicated work in "focus blocks."
- Leverage tools like AI to automate repetitive tasks.
- Review progress weekly and refine processes.
Step 4: Commit to Consistency
Adopt a "no excuses" mindset. Even if progress feels slow, trust the process. During my time in prison, I often felt like I was working against the odds, but staying consistent helped me build a system that laid the foundation for my success.
Step 5: Monitor and Adjust
No system is a "set it and forget it" program. Gather feedback, refine your approach, and make improvements. Today, I monitor the effectiveness of my systems by tracking outcomes—whether that’s response rates from mentorship programs or productivity metrics in my daily work.
Step 6: Share and Scale
Finally, take what works and share it with others. Just as I shared my systems with fellow inmates and now teach them to justice-impacted individuals, help others benefit from your experience. Scaling also opens doors to collaboration and greater impact.
Overcoming Challenges
Most people give up because building systems can feel overwhelming. A lack of results in the early stages can discourage progress. The key to overcoming this challenge is to simplify your initial steps. Focus on just one small action every day—success builds on itself. Remember, even a simple system can lead to transformation when pursued consistently.
Conclusion
Building systems is one of the most powerful strategies for achieving long-term success. Whether you’re navigating tough circumstances or striving for personal growth, systems provide the structure you need to move forward with purpose. I learned this while turning my adversity into opportunity during my time in prison, and I continue to apply these principles every day.
Start small, stay consistent, and refine. The rewards of growth, resilience, and achievement are worth the effort. You have the power to design a system that aligns with your goals and transforms your life—so start building today.
Self-Directed Reflection Question
What’s one area of your life or work where a system could create more efficiency, structure, or success, and what’s the first small step you could take to begin building it?