Hey {{first_name}},
Last week, we talked about choosing a word of the year instead of jumping straight into rigid goals—picking a single word that captures how you want to feel and the kind of life you want to create this year.
But, a beautiful word without the right systems to support it? It stays a beautiful idea that never quite materializes into reality.
You can choose "balance" as your word, but if your calendar is booked solid and you never say no, that word stays aspirational. You can choose "joy," but if your daily routine leaves no room for the things that actually bring you joy, the word becomes wallpaper—pretty to look at, but not actually changing your life.
So, let’s walk talk about the infrastructure that turns your word of the year from a nice idea into your actual daily experience.
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🌻 5 Steps to Build Systems That Support Your Word of the Year
Think of systems as the invisible scaffolding of your life. When they're strong, your word has something to lean on. When they're weak (or nonexistent), even your most meaningful word stays stuck on a vision board instead of living in your reality.
1. Map your current reality (no judgment)
Before you can build better systems, you need to see what's actually happening right now—not what you think is happening or what you wish was happening. This is pure observation.
→ Try this: For 3 days, track your schedule hour by hour. Include how you felt during each block of time. Notice where your energy goes, when you feel depleted, when you feel alive. Just observe, don't judge.
2. Define what your word looks like in practice
Get specific about what your word of the year looks like in your daily life. If your word is "presence," what does a present day feel like? If your word is "ease," what would an easy morning routine include?
→ Try this: Write down what you want a typical day to feel like when you're living your word. Be specific: What time do you wake up? How do you feel? What activities fill your day? What's your energy level? This becomes your north star.
3. Identify the gap (this is where it gets real)
Now compare your current reality to what living your word would look like. The distance between them reveals where your systems are failing you. Maybe your word is "growth" but you're so exhausted every evening that you can't engage with anything challenging or new.
→ Try this: List 3 specific gaps between where you are and where you want to be. For each gap, ask: "What system (or lack of system) is creating this?" This isn't about blame—it's about identifying what needs to change.
4. Design for your actual life, not your ideal life
Most advice assumes you have complete control and zero constraints. But maybe you have caregiving responsibilities, or work irregular hours. Your systems need to work with your reality, not against it.
→ Try this: For each gap you identified, brainstorm 2-3 realistic adjustments that account for your actual constraints. A morning routine that works with your partner's schedule will stick better than one that requires them to completely change.
5. Build progress, not perfection
Your systems don't need to be flawless to be functional. Living your word 3 days a week is infinitely better than the "perfect" plan you never start. Remember, you’re building sustainable infrastructure, not creating a rigid prison.
→ Try this: Pick ONE system to adjust this week. Make it small enough that you're 80% confident you can stick with it for 7 days. Then assess and adjust. This is progress over perfection in action.
Your word of the year tells you where you want to go. Systems are how you actually get there.
Once you start noticing where your systems are failing you, you can actually do something about it. And that shift—from feeling stuck to feeling empowered to make changes—changes everything.
Think about your word of the year. Now ask yourself: What system is either supporting or sabotaging this word right now?
Maybe your word is "connection," but your system of always saying "yes" to work means you're too exhausted to show up for relationships. Maybe your word is "create," but your living space has no dedicated area for your creative work, so you never actually make anything.
Reply and tell me: what's one system in your life that's ready for an honest audit?
¿Qué dijo? / What did she say?
siempre- always