The Power of Systems: How to Create a Life that Works

Most powerful insights are simple in nature, yet very hard to see. The authors help us look at life, everyday life, normal life, and also our imagined creative life and see the systems that are operating. I read the first chapter and immediately got the distinction between my thoughts and feelings and judgments of me and the questions of why can't I ever get this right to... the System. There is always a system. I'm in a place in life, pending divorce, where I'm looking at what systems I want to have to create a life that works. Some of these systems are simple...do I run the dishwasher or hand wash and use a rack? Do I put oil changes in the calendar? Do I want lots of different take home containers or should I throw old one-offs away? What should be my system for child custody, and what system should I have for discussing with their mother? In work, what system is there even when it seems like I have no system...because there is always a system. Steve and Trevor help us make it simple. I'm buying this book for all of my Business Builder clients.

Excellent distinction that helps get out of your head and into action. Dispels the myth that you need a deep psychological dive to get unstuck and instead all you need is a system. This book helps release all the old stories that have been keeping you stuck and instead offers a clear simple process that gets you back in action right away and leaves the old anxiety in the dust. As a professional coach I send this to all those willing to do some reading and then can’t wait to hear the mind blowing insights and listen to the ensuing laughter when we realize how complicated we have made things. If you want a simple, clear and powerful approach to opening new doors in your life and business, Power of Systems is your new key.

It's been said about many things in life that once you see them, you can't unsee them. That's what I now see about systems thanks to Steve Chandler and Trevor Timbeck's book "The Power of Systems." I used to think that if you had to create some kind of "system" for your work, your life or your relationships that it would be sort of like signing up for prison. Meaning, something I wasn't interested in. But, now I see that the real creative power to consciously and deliberately create systems to make our lives work is one of the true keys to creating an amazing life. Systems are everywhere and in everything we humans do. I just didn't see this before reading this book. I didn't see that my wife Susie and I have certain "systems" in place that virtually guarantee that we have an amazing marriage. And no, I'm not talking about systems that are hard and restrictive. I'm talking about seeing the power of systems in a powerful, powerful, creative and dare I say fun way to create the love and life we want. Reaching out to three potential clients to create a conversation each day, going to find your partner and offer a hug and a kiss every single time you are apart and the decision of whether to bring a salad to work or eat fast food are all systems. What I'm seeing about life is, there is never a time when you are not creating. With the help of this book you get to see the power of a life created by systems cteated by design instead of systems created by default or based on your history or someone else's rules for your life. I highly recommend this book. 100%

Good concept. Would have loved some real coaching examples. I loved the conversational nature of the book where Trevor and Steve have a dialog

Started it and couldn't put it down. I’ve read most of Chandler’s nearly 40 books, and use much of what he talks about in my work as a business and life coach. This book, co-authored with coach Trevor Timbeck, is among the most powerful of them. The authors purposely don’t give the reader specific systems from which to run their lives or businesses but, rather, ask us to see that our entire lives are made up of systems already—some of which work to get us the results we want and some of which don’t. Their message is: If you don’t like the results you’re getting, you need a different system. As an example, without denigrating the importance of psychology, they tell us that if you you have a system of doing something that works, but you’re procrastinating about using it, you can avoid going into your past to find the reason for your resistance and, instead, create a system to stop procrastinating. In The E-Myth Revisited, Michael Gerber wrote years ago about systems problems requiring a systems solution. This book takes that idea one step further and invites us to view everything in our lives as systems that need to change—or a system to change them—if the results they get us aren’t the ones we want.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!! Steve and Trevor created an incredible dialogue on creating a life that works using systems. Their unique styles, humor, and stories shared throughout the book made it an incredibly engaging book for me. After reading the book, I began looking at areas of my life that I seemed to be filled with stuck-ness or frustration such as enrolling our 4 children into new household cleaning roles and looking why I wasn't consistently finishing my work day before dinner with the family. Instead of trying to figure out the solution to these frustrations, I tried out one of the core messages of the book - to ask myself the question "What system is currently in place?" Once I saw that there were actually systems in place that produced the result of frustration, I was able to simply create new systems. The key for me is the speed and ease that this way of living provides me, versus my old way that would inevitably take longer and would often still carry the energy of frustration.

Trevor Timbeck and Steve Chandler have taken a topic that manypeople (like me) often create as “complicated” and present it in a way that is very accessible, practiceable, and relevant. I highly recommend this book to any human who is creating a life. ;-). It has changed the way I view "system." Do not mistake the lighthearted and humor-full presentation as lightweight... the practical methods presented for creating systems that support a life that works are simple yet powerful. Don't take my word for it... read the book and try it out yourself. I was able to begin practicing the day I started reading it and I have been astonished at the positive impact on my everyday life. The part of the book that impacted me the most was the discussion around systems creation from a place of love, as that was something I had never considered. This approach changes something that could be thought of as analytic and programmatic into something that makes all the difference.

The key distinction that systems allow us to remove our ego is absolutely liberating. I'm very grateful for the practice of psychology, which has helped me so much. AND...I'm grateful for the realization in this book that the results I'm getting are literally outcomes of the systems I'm applying. I can understand why, but nothing changes until I change the system of action that holds within itself true possibility.

This book is disarmingly simple, almost too simple for the intellect. Mine even tried to reject it with the thought: ‘Nothing new here—just another story about systems and replacing whatever sequence is blocking its function.’ But approaching it with that mindset would mean missing out on this masterpiece of clarity and effectiveness. The systems Trevor and Steve describe are anything but mechanical, and the invitation here is far from trivial. I’m on my third reading in a row, and I’m amazed that nobody thought of making life this straightforward before. The real challenge, perhaps, is understanding what Trevor and Steve suggest: that Life itself is a system— a living system, from the solar to the digestive and nervous systems, all continually adjusting toward optimal function. - What if, when things don’t work in our daily lives, it’s simply because we’ve disconnected from the natural, reliable system of life by trying to operate in isolation, carrying everything on our own shoulders? - What if we relied on life’s vital force to get things back on track? This is the suggestion and invitation that Trevor and Steve offer. Brilliant! Read it to rediscover the flow that’s been lost.

I love the conversational style in which this book is written - it's as if you're eavesdropping on a conversation between two masters of their craft. The personal stories and specific examples take the idea of "systems" into practical, actionable reality and my experience so far using the idea of systems with clients is that considering something as a system is a reframe that opens up extraordinary new possibilities. Excellent read and helpful resource - highly recommend.

I've gifted this book to clients and friends. Takes a lot of mystery and difficulty out of making changes. You don't need to be a better person, just a new routine... Some of this sounds simple but there is a lot insight about why we can't start or keep systems going. Find a system to read everyday, start with one page of this.

Book Review: The Power of Systems The Power of Systems is a brilliantly written book that demystifies the world of systems for those who may have previously found them intimidating. The authors have done a remarkable job of gently unfolding this subject in a way that is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. What makes this book truly impactful is its ability to bridge the gap between theory and practical application. It doesn't just introduce readers to systems thinking—it shows them how understanding and leveraging systems can lead to tangible results. By doing so, the book becomes more than just a read; it becomes an access point for moving from the world of ideas to the world of real-world impact. The writing is clear, insightful, and engaging, making it easy for a layman to grasp complex concepts without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you're new to systems thinking or looking to deepen your understanding, The Power of Systems is a must-read. It has the potential to shift perspectives and unlock new possibilities for anyone willing to embrace the power of structured thinking. Thank you Steve Chandler and Trevor Timbeck for this magnificent creation.

What!! I don’t have to change my thoughts and feelings. I don’t have to analyse how I feel all the time. I don’t have to meditate or reframe or heal or fix myself. And.. I don’t need to buy another self-improvement book ever again! I wish I had read this when I was 24 instead of 64. So simple and yet so powerful! Thank you Trevor and Steve 🙏