How to build a personal operating system

Build a personal OS to live the life you want

Atman

Mar 25, 2023

All of us have problems.

Some are small and easy to solve, and others are big and vague. You can think of your problems in 5 levels:

Level 1: You don't know what to do
Level 2: You have a vague idea of what to do
Level 3: You know what to do, but you're not able to do it
Level 4: You are doing what you want but are not getting the results you desire
Level 5: You are getting the results you desire, but you are still not satisfied

These levels require different approaches to solve.

You can solve Levels 1 & 2 by trying different things until you find something you like.

Level 3 requires accountability.

Level 4 requires a change in execution strategy, and Level 5 requires you to look within and re-evaluate.

Regardless of the type of problems you're facing, you ideally want to make decisions at the highest conceptual level which solves (and avoids) these problems (and similar ones) once and for all.

There are a common set of tools to make these problems easier to solve.

First, we shape our tools, and then our tools shape us
— John Culkin (1967)

Your personal operating system comprises a core set of components that will help you solve some of the big (and small) problems in your life.

First, you create your OS, and then your OS creates (the future) you.

Creating your OS

Your personal OS should have four components

Priorities - The WHAT
Processes - The HOW
Resources - Supports the HOW
Values and Principles - The WHY

That is it. If you can put down these four components on a page, you will have your OS.

Building it is hard as it requires you to know yourself.

Executing on it daily is harder.

But the result is living the life you want.

Note: You can also apply this system to your company, your team, or any project you undertake

In the next few posts, I will detail each part of the OS and help you build your own. If you need help creating your own OS and executing against it, don't hesitate to get in touch with me on Twitter.

Every man has two lives; the second one begins when he realizes he has only one.
— Confucious

Update 4th of July 2023
Here are the first 3 parts of How to build your personal operating system

Part 1: Priorities

Part 2: Processes and Systems

Part 3: Resources

Part 4: Values & Principles (dropping on 8th July 2023)

References: Clayton Christensen for his book How will you measure your life and Ray Dalio for Principles

Special thanks to @samyakp for the idea of having a personal OS