Got a great email from a reader about the value of systems for consistency and enabling you to do more. My reply -

Awesome email B, 100% agree.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I think you could define three stages towards becoming very very successful -

1. Basic learning/understanding: Figuring out what's worth training in/learning, what's legit, what isn't, starting to read the right books, figure out what to work, confront unpleasant reality when necessary, etc.

2. Start spending your time on what matters: Fitness, building, sales, connecting with people, interpersonal skills, etc, etc.

I think a lot of people do the first two and become successful far above average, but I think it maxes out. Just spending time on what you've realized is important is good, but it won't get you to the highest levels.

System design comes next -

3. Systems: Organize things so they happen consistently and near automatically. Systematically eliminate low level tasks - everything from cleaning to grocery shopping to details. Then eliminate mid-level tasks by hiring accountants, bookkeepers, managers, assistants, etc. Focus on the highest level stuff - development, creative work, enterprising, connecting with people, inventing, etc, etc.

That's actually one of my biggest pushes. Over the past few years, I figured out a lot of what's important, studied a mix of fields that are eye-opening and give options, started systematically working on that stuff, but now... well, I'm up against the 24-hour-per-day wall. System design comes next.