I read a real eye-opening book recently – The Power of Systems by Steve Chandler and Trevor Timbeck. I smashed through it in just two days and am now on my second read. It’s offered up a totally new way of seeing how I operate, without getting knee-deep in psychology, but rather highlighting the systems at play behind the results I’m getting. It shifts the focus away from ‘me’ and ‘I’ and places it on real-life action. So if you want different results, no need to look into your thinking, just identify the current system that’s getting you the current result, and then explore different systems to get a different result!
I love the simplicity of this idea. And because I love nature and exploring how we are a part of it rather than separate from it, this whole ‘systems’ thing makes total sense. How did I not see it before?
Think about it, the world around us is a series of interconnected systems. From the grand scale of the solar system, which governs the seasons, the yearly cycle as well as day and night, to the intricate ecosystems that maintain the balance of life on Earth – systems are everywhere. They shape how we live, how we grow, and how the world functions. Physiological systems, like the heartbeat and digestion (to name just two!), keep our bodies alive, while psychological systems are responsible for our thoughts and emotions.
But these systems are not just external—they exist within us, guiding our actions, creations, and relationships. When we shift our focus from understanding why we feel a certain way to examining the systems that underlie our behaviour, we can break free from the paralysis of overthinking. It’s easy to get lost in the “why” of our emotions and beliefs, but when we move toward understanding the “how”—how systems operate, how they influence our actions—we become empowered to change them. It means there’s nothing to ‘fix’about us, but rather the system!
Think of the solar system. Planets move in precise orbits, governed by gravity and other natural forces. There’s no need to question why these forces exist; the planets simply follow the path laid out for them. Similarly, ecosystems operate with a delicate balance—each species plays its role in the survival of the whole. These systems don’t get stuck asking “why”; they focus on “how” to function in harmony. Humans are no different. We, too, are part of larger systems, but we also have the ability to change the systems we operate within.
When we look at the systems that govern our lives, it becomes clear that we are always running one, whether we realise it or not. Everything from our habits, routines, and patterns of thought to how we approach work or relationships can be seen as systems – and once you see it, you can’t unsee it. Some of these systems serve us well, helping us grow, thrive, and achieve our goals. Others may leave us feeling stuck, frustrated, or unfulfilled. The beauty is, that once we recognise we are part of these systems, we have the power to explore and change them.
Take, for example, someone struggling with procrastination. It’s easy to get trapped in the psychological loop of asking why: “Why do I always put things off?” While understanding the underlying reasons can be insightful, it doesn’t necessarily lead to action. Instead, when you step back and look at procrastination as a system—a set of behaviours and triggers that reinforce each other—you can start to see how that system works. Maybe it’s not about motivation but about the structure of your day. Perhaps it’s about how you approach tasks, breaking them into smaller steps rather than tackling them all at once. By examining the system, you can begin to tweak and adjust it until it works for you, rather than against you.
Psychology, while useful for understanding human behaviour (and professional psychology most definitely has its place in helping people), it can often lead us down a path of introspection that doesn’t result in action. It’s like trying to understand why a plant isn’t growing without ever checking if it’s getting enough sunlight or water. Systems thinking, on the other hand, focuses on the external conditions and structures that either support or hinder growth. When we shift our attention to the systems we’re operating in, we move from asking why we’re stuck to figuring out how to create a structure that helps us thrive.
Imagine your life as a garden. The garden is a system, where each plant needs specific care—sunlight, water, the right soil. If one plant isn’t growing, you wouldn’t spend hours wondering why it isn’t thriving on an emotional level. Instead, you’d explore the conditions: Is the soil too dry? Does it need more shade? Similarly, in our personal or professional lives, when we’re not getting the results we want, we can adjust the system—our environment, habits, or routines—to support our growth.
One of the most powerful realisations is that systems are adaptable. They are not set in stone, nor are they dictated by our past experiences. Just because you’ve always operated within one system doesn’t mean you can’t create a new one. If the system you’re currently running isn’t serving you, it’s time to explore alternatives. And just like in nature, where ecosystems evolve and adapt to changing conditions, we too can evolve the systems we operate within.
Changing systems isn’t always easy, but it starts with awareness. Once you become conscious of the systems running your life, you can start to shift them. Maybe you notice that your morning routine leaves you feeling rushed and anxious. That’s a system that’s not serving you. Instead of diving into why you feel anxious, ask yourself how you can change the routine to create a sense of calm and control. Perhaps set your alarm for 15 minutes earlier, get your clothes ready the night before, or incorporate a brief meditation to centre yourself.
By changing the system, you change the result.
The same is true in creative work. When you hit a roadblock in a project, it’s easy to get stuck in self-doubt, asking why you can’t find inspiration. But what if, instead, you focused on changing the system? Maybe it’s about setting a timer for short, focused bursts of work rather than waiting for inspiration to strike. Or perhaps it’s about collaborating with others to generate new ideas. By exploring and adjusting the system, you create conditions that allow creativity to flow more naturally.
Systems thinking encourages action, flexibility, collaboration and experimentation. It reminds us that, while we can’t always control the outcome, we can shape the structure that leads to that outcome. Whether it’s in personal growth, relationships, parenting or work, systems offer a path forward, helping us move from being stuck in the “why” to actively creating the “how.”
In the end, we are all part of systems, and systems are part of us. The more we understand them, the more we can harness their power to create the life we want. Just like the solar system or an ecosystem, our lives are interconnected, dynamic, and constantly evolving. When we approach our challenges from a systems perspective, we gain the ability to change, adapt, and grow—one small shift at a time.