Finding a way of working that actually fits.

One of the most common things I hear from people is that they just need a better way of organising things. A better planner, a better routine, a better way to stay on top of everything. And sometimes, yes, there might be something (or several things) that would help. But more often than not, that’s not actually the problem...

What I see, again and again, is this: You’ve grown, your role has evolved, your life has changed. There’s more responsibility, more complexity, and more decisions to make. And yet, you’re still trying to make everything work in the same way you always have, or in a way you’ve been told you "should".

So when things start to feel harder than they used to, the default assumption is that you need to be more organised, more disciplined, or just try harder (especially if that’s what you’ve heard from people around you for most of your life). But that’s rarely the full picture.

It might not be about being organised at all. It could be about whether the way you’re trying to work and live actually fits you and your life right now.

For some people, structure helps. For others, too much structure creates pressure and shutdown. Some people need time and space to think before they act, while others need momentum and movement to get going. Some people need a blend of both. Some benefit from getting everything out of their head and into something audible or visible. Others feel overwhelmed the moment there are too many tools, lists, or inputs.

I see this a lot in capable, thoughtful people navigating increasing complexity in their work and life, including many who are neurodivergent.

When the way you work no longer fits your reality, things start to slip. Not because you’re not capable, but because you’re working against yourself.

This is the point where most people go looking for a new system. Another app, another framework, another way to fix it. But layering a new system on top of something that already doesn’t fit usually just creates more noise.

A more useful place to start is understanding how you actually operate at your best. Not on your most productive day, not when everything is going perfectly, but in real life.

It might sound simple, but most people haven’t actually been shown how to think about this.

• What helps you think clearly?

• What creates momentum?

• What drains you faster than it should?

• What kind of structure supports you, and what kind works against you?

• When are you most energised during the day, week, or month (or across your cycle, if that’s relevant to you)?

• What has helped you regulate yourself in the past?

• How do you know when you’re starting to become dysregulated?

From there, you can start to build something that works with you, not against you.