Most people don’t lead their lives; they accept them. They move through their careers in a state of reaction—responding to emails, reacting to crises, and following whatever path of least resistance opens up in front of them. But there is a massive difference between being “busy” and being “on purpose.” If you don’t have a strategy for your life, you will likely end up as part of someone else’s.
In “The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth,” John C. Maxwell introduces The Law of Design: To maximize growth, develop strategies. Good intentions are never enough. To move from where you are to where you want to be, you need a predictable, repeatable system that ensures your progress isn’t left to chance.
The Power of Systems
Maxwell defines a system as “a process for predictably achieving an objective.” Why are systems so critical for a leader?
- Systems provide a roadmap: They take the guesswork out of your daily actions.
- Systems create consistency: They allow you to perform at a high level even when your motivation is low.
- Systems are scalable: You cannot grow a business or a team if everything exists only in your head.
- Systems provide freedom: When the routine is handled by a system, your brain is free to do the high-level strategic thinking.
The Pillars of a Strong Design
When I work with clients to design their leadership strategy, we focus on four specific areas:
- The Big Picture: Does this action align with your long-term vision?
- Measurement: How will you know, objectively, if you are winning?
- Consistency: Is this a one-time event or a daily discipline?
- Application: What is the immediate next step?
Are You Designing or Just Drifting? (A Quick Self-Assessment)
Is your life built on a blueprint or just a series of “lucky” coincidences? Score each statement using the scale below:
| Score | Description |
| 1 | Never / Not at all |
| 2 | Rarely / Needs significant work |
| 3 | Sometimes / Average |
| 4 | Often / Above average |
| 5 | Consistently / A core strength |
- [ ] Documented Strategy: I have my primary professional goals written down with a clear deadline.
- [ ] Time Blocking: My calendar reflects my priorities, not just my obligations.
- [ ] Review Process: I have a weekly system for reviewing my progress and adjusting my tactics.
- [ ] Resource Allocation: I intentionally invest my budget and my time into the systems that drive my growth.
- [ ] Simplification: I am actively looking for ways to automate or delegate tasks that don’t require my specific expertise.
Your Score:
- 20-25: Master Architect. You are building a life by design.
- 15-19: “The Sketch Artist.” You have the ideas, but the blueprints are incomplete.
- Under 15: “The Drifter.” You are currently in a state of reaction. It’s time to stop and build a system.
Moving Beyond the “Good Intentions” Trap
The reason most people fail to grow isn’t a lack of desire; it’s a lack of design. They hope they’ll find time to read. They hope they’ll get around to networking. They hope their team will improve. But “hope” is not a strategy. Design requires the courage to say “No” to the good things so you can say “Yes” to the strategic things.
“If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.” — Jim Rohn (quoted by Maxwell)
Today’s Application: The 30-Minute Blueprint
I want you to pick the one area of your business or life that currently feels the most chaotic.
- Write down exactly what the “Ideal Result” looks like for that area.
- List the 3 steps that MUST happen every week to make that result a reality.
- Put those 3 steps on your calendar for next week as non-negotiable appointments.
Action Step: Look at your to-do list for tomorrow. Circle the one item that is a “Strategic Action” (something that moves you toward your design) and do it first, before you check a single email.
Partnering on Your Growth Journey
Most leaders are too close to the project to see the flaws in the design. My coaching provides the “Strategic Advisor” lens you need to audit your current systems and build a roadmap that actually leads to your goals.
- The Strategic Blueprint Session: A 90-minute intensive to map out your 90-day objectives and the daily systems required to hit them.
- The Operations Audit: For business owners who need to systematize their leadership, so they can stop putting out fires and start scaling.
- The Executive Design Partnership: A 12-week journey of high-level accountability focused on turning your vision into a measurable, repeatable reality.
Click here to book a free 30-minute Discovery Call.
Coming Up Next…
You have the plan, but do you have the courage to pay the price? Join me for our next post: Turning Pain into Progress | The Law of Pain.
