Hey Reader,

The monkey mind can be a b*tch.

It’ll pull you in a million different directions making you feel stuck with little to no progress.

I know this from firsthand experience.

During COVID, I was introduced to my own monkey mind. With no freelance clients and all that free time, I thought I was moving the needle forward consuming books, podcasts, and YouTube videos. But really, I was just mentally master-bating, hopping from one piece of advice to another.

[intentional type there]

I eventually had enough of it. I couldn’t stop the anxiety about feeling stuck.

So I decided to hone in and set aside time to focus on something that would change my life forever:

Systems.

Do this, then do this, and then do this…

In the past, I thought I needed more information. More, more, more.

But really, I needed less. Less distraction, less information, less overwhelm.

When you create systems, you’re forced to ask yourself the question:

Do I value this thing enough to create a system for it?

By the way, when I say systems, all I mean is a step-by-step process to reach a desired outcome.

For example, if someone needs help losing weight:

1. Audit lifestyle
2. Set a goal + deadline
3. Design weekly schedule
4. Determine nutrition plan
5. Develop accountability program

You can’t fantasize about losing weight and expect it to happen on its own. You need systems.

If you’re lacking clarity, create systems.

If you’re lacking direction, create systems.

If you’re lacking motivation, create systems.

Systems and clarity are your best friends.

If you lack clarity, you’ll develop a friendship with the monkey mind, and that’s someone you'll never have enough bananas for.

Instead of seeking clarity through external sources, I challenge you to lean inward. Believe it or not, you already have all the answers you need. It’s just a matter of prioritizing the key areas you want to focus on, then creating a system for it.

The key is not to start out with a perfect system either; it's to start, get messy, and refine overtime.

This path is for anyone and everyone. Building a business, creating content, or simply seeking self-improvement. Whatever your goal is, systems will help. That's my promise to you.

And if you’re searching for self-confidence, make sure you read to the end. I have a special surprise for ya 🫢

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How to Create Systems

I use Notion to create ALL of my systems. Notion is a MF beast. If you find yourself constantly thinking and strategizing, you need Notion in your life. I grew up an avid overthinker and Notion has been one of the few remedies for that.

I can’t express to you how much this program has changed my life. I’m able to store my ideas and never forget about them. If I want to execute an idea I wrote two weeks ago, I know exactly where to find it and what the step-by-step process it takes to bring it to life. Because I've developed systems.

That is f*cking harmony to my ears. And actually geeks me up about the process. When you don’t have a process that excites you, you’re prone to obsess over results.

Then, you’re prone to self-sabotage, which is a vicious cycle of feeling like shit, meaning you’ll never create anything worthwhile because self-doubt is drowning your creativity.

Good work only comes from a confident and creative place. Make sure you protect it.

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Stop Blaming Yourself (There's A Resolution)

Imagine you’re stepping into the gym for the very first time.

You’re probably intimidated by:

• Looking like an idiot
• Not knowing which machines to use
• Comparing yourself to the swoldiers with their cutoff t-shirts and sweaty nipples hanging out

BUT….

Let’s say you hire a personal trainer online who lives on the other side of the world.

Regardless of the fact that he’s not physically present, you bet your ass he’s going to set you up for success with a system.

“When you walk in, head to this area. Stretch your body a bit. Don’t worry about what people will think about you. The fact you’re in there is huge progress, which matters much more than what someone thinks or says about you.”

Systems can be created for your mind as well. Feeling overwhelmed? Take a deep breath. Lacking clarity? Grab a pen and paper, and write. Can't focus? Go for a walk.

Back to the fitness coach.

“Next, I want you to find the benchpress. But don’t leave the stretching area until you find an open bench. If it’s being used by someone, stretch until they’re done.

Once they're finished, head over to the bench and warm up by lifting the bar. No weights. Focus on form by contracting your shoulders and moving the bar slowly. The more control, the better.

Then work your way up by adding 10lbs on each side, then another 10…..”

You get the point.

What’s this going to do for the gym newbie?

Reduce his anxiety and overwhelm. Increase his confidence. Not completely, but he's definitely going to feel 1% better.

That is the secret sauce of systems (and a good coach).

Do the simple things well and you’ll execute the complex things well. The way you do anything is how you’ll do everything.

You can apply systems to any area of your life:

• Meal prepping every Sunday
• Wash your car, then pick up groceries
• Sitting down to write content every morning
• Paying your rent by the 1st, then paying other bills
• Filming content every Wednesday for the following week

These are random examples. But I promise you, if you’re struggling to make progress in any area of your life, it’s because you’re lacking a system.

Don't blame yourself. You didn't come out the womb with systems imprinted on your forehead. But now that you understand the power of systems, you're a few steps away from falling in love with the process.

The process is the only place where magic happens. True magic.

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Systems Create Freedom

Next week, I’m going to EDC Las Vegas with my girlfriend. I don’t plan on putting content on pause – we have a mission here.

I know which days I want to publish, which ideas I want to execute, and when I need to finish them by... all thanks to systems.

If I didn’t have a system, I’d succumb to “Oh, I’ll just post something when I get back.”

And I'd most likely make zero progress.

Systems get you ahead.

They help you execute.

They help you strategize.

They help you streamline.

Which gives you your time back.

Time back = freedom.

When you start creating systems, don't feel the need to make it perfect before executing. This is how you stay stuck.

Take action, discover loopholes when they arise, and refine the system overtime.

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No sh*t, Ashton

What blows my mind is that you’re probably reading this and thinking, “No shit, Ashton. Of course, systems will help me…”

Yet so many of us subconsciously avoid sticking to it. Best example here is my younger self. I did this for far too long.

I understood the power of batching content but always had trouble sticking to it. It’s as if my past self wanted me to stay stuck. My subconscious mind was seeking what was familiar.

I had to unpack why to realize that systems made me feel uncomfortable.

But damn it, discomfort is the key to your growth!

Once I realized what was happening underneath the surface, I created a system for discomfort. The moment I felt uncomfortable, I told myself that I was making progress. I may not see it yet, but over a year, it'll be inevitable.

Your growth journey is going to feel uncomfortable, just like the newbie in the gym. The only way to find your confidence in the gym is to stick to the process.

Process compounds progress.

“People overestimate what they can do in a day and underestimate what they can do in a year.”

The key here is to be 1% better every day. That could happen through your mindset, your body, or your health.

Either way, 1% progress is a huge win.

So, as important as systems are, what’s more important is sticking to them. Even when you don’t feel like it.

Especially when you don’t feel like it.

You can only control your inputs, not your outcomes. Systems help you keep track of those inputs. You hold the agency to make little tweaks to your inputs. So while you can’t necessarily control the outcome, you can throw on your scientist hat and configure your lab.

But it takes a specific amount of awareness, and the only way to gain awareness is by taking action.

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Your Plan of Action

Systems are the lifeblood to your higher self. In fact, your higher self is probably begging you right now…

“PLEASE MAKE SYSTEMS, Reader!”

If that’s you, I created something to help you take action. It's a free guide I created called The Clarity Creator: Systems by Design.

I've been working on it for the past few weeks so I'm super excited for you to finally check it out! I put all my systematic love into it ;)

Lol, I make myself cringe sometimes.

Inside, I share more insights into my systems and how they’ve impacted me. I’ve always learned best by hearing real-world examples from other creators and entrepreneurs. So hopefully, I can pass that goodwill forward to you.

As soon as you're done reading it, you'll feel the confidence and clarity to create systems for your life that will:

• Get you unstuck
• Help you make progress
• Live a more meaningful lifestyle

Good luck, and here's to getting unstuck 🥂

Download here:

​The_Clarity_Creator_Systems_by_Design.pdf​

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Cheers,

Ashton

P.S. When you’re done reading it, shoot me an email and tell me what you think! I'd be delighted to hear from you.