I’m going to keep this introduction to creating systems simple. Here’s the deal:

I’m an ADHD, dyslexic, neurodivergent ILR practitioner whose life is chaotic and filled with responsibilities. I struggle with concentration, impulsivity, and decision making. The only way I get things done (and I get a lot done) is by creating systems. This is as true for my wellbeing as it is for any other area of my life. If I didn’t have a system for my wellbeing, I would be constantly stressed out. That’s how I burned out to begin with and I’m not trying to repeat that mistake.

Here are my recommendations. Do the following things:

  • Go buy Atomic Habits by James Clear. It’s the best book I’ve read on how to create systems.
  • Schedule a weekend to read Atomic Habits and create a system for your wellbeing. (If you do this, congratulations! You just set for first new boundary for your ILR practice.)
  • Preferably make it a weekend retreat where you go someplace peaceful and quiet.
  • In the meantime, start doing something for your wellbeing every single day. It doesn’t really matter what.
  • I recommend meditation because it simultaneously builds your internal awareness and helps calm your nervous system. I like the Balance
  • The point is to repeat the same action over and over until it starts to feel automatic. This will make more sense once you read Atomic Habits.
  • At first it will be difficult to consistently repeat the same action. In yoga practice they say, “The hardest part of yoga is getting to the mat.” This will also make more sense once you read Atomic Habits.

Sidenote: This skill-repeating the same action over and over in a systematic way-is also useful for other areas of ILR practice. For example, every time you resist the impulse to switch to English you strengthen a neural pathway that knows how to “get to the mat” of immersion learning. If you do so inside a system (as opposed to just exercising your personal willpower) then it starts to become automatic. That means it cost less energy which means you’re less tired and have more energy for other things. Willpower is a limited and costly resource. Constantly making things happen through sheer will leads to burnout. It’s not how humans are supposed to live or learn.