Hello!
First off - a huge thank you for letting me hang out in your inbox each week. I’ve been loving your replies, texts, and feedback. Keep them coming! 💬
(Seriously - it’s the highlight of my week.)
Now that we’ve started digging into a few tools and strategies, I wanted to take a step back and ask the question that started this whole thing:
👉 What is a Run State, anyway?
In process improvement terms, a Run State is:
“A stable, optimized operating condition where everything is flowing as expected with minimal disruption.”
Ok, well that sounds great.
But here’s the thing most people don’t talk about…
🧠 The Mistake I See All the Time
So many of us try to add before we clear space.
We pile on new habits, goals, routines, systems - without making the room to actually support them.
Then we get overwhelmed, abandon ship, and feel like we failed.
But the problem isn’t you.
The problem is you were trying to build a new habit while still standing in the middle of a tornado.
🧰 My Framework for Getting to Run State
Here’s the 3-step process I walk my clients through:
Clean Up
Declutter. Simplify. Remove noise - physically, mentally, digitally.
You can’t optimize a mess.Set Up
Establish systems. Clarify expectations. Make the work flow.
This is the structure you’ll run on.Develop Run State Best Practices
Once it’s stable, you maintain it. You refine it. You start to trust it.
This is where you feel like, “okay… this might actually be working.”
⏳ So… How Long Should You Stay in Run State Before Adding Something New?
At least two full “cycles.”
In life, that’s usually about two months.
Month 1: You’re mostly just relieved things are calm again.
You’re still waiting for the other shoe to drop.Month 2: You start to believe it’s not a fluke.
You feel a little lighter. A little more grounded.
Now? You can start thinking about what’s next.
💬 Try This Today (Just 5 Minutes):
Think of one area where you’ve recently created a bit more space (your mornings, your workflow, your calendar).
Ask yourself: Do I feel stable here yet - or am I still holding my breath?
If the answer is “holding my breath,” great! Stay where you are.
If the answer is “this feels pretty solid,” maybe it’s time to add a small habit or goal - but just one.
Thanks again for reading and being part of this space.
Remember - be honest with yourself about where you are, and don’t compare yourself against everyone else. Make sure your processes feel right for YOU.
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