Getting Started¶

Your First Steps with the Life Operating System

Before You Begin¶

This system is designed to be forgiving. You don't need to set it up perfectly. You just need to start.

Read the System Overview first to understand the philosophy.

Step 1 — Understand the Layers¶

The system has six layers. Each has one job:

flowchart TB
    D["<b>1. DIRECTION</b><br/>Who you're becoming"] --> G["<b>2. GOALS</b><br/>What you're building"]
    G --> O["<b>3. OUTCOMES</b><br/>What must exist"]
    O --> E["<b>4. EXECUTION</b><br/>What you do each day"]
    E --> T["<b>5. TIME</b><br/>When it happens"]
    T --> F["<b>6. FEEDBACK</b><br/>What you learn"]
    F -.->|"Informs"| D

    style D fill:#7c4dff,stroke:#5e35b1,color:#fff
    style G fill:#536dfe,stroke:#3d5afe,color:#fff
    style O fill:#448aff,stroke:#2979ff,color:#fff
    style E fill:#00bcd4,stroke:#00acc1,color:#fff
    style T fill:#26c6da,stroke:#00bcd4,color:#fff
    style F fill:#ffc107,stroke:#ffb300,color:#000

You don't need to work on all layers at once. Start with Direction.

Step 2 — Write Your Direction¶

Answer these questions honestly:

Where am I right now?
Where am I going?
Why does that future matter?
Who is coming with me?
What kind of person must I become?

Don't overthink it. A few paragraphs is enough.

Step 3 — Set Up Your Tools¶

Google Calendar¶

This is your reality layer
If it's on the calendar, it's real
If it's not, it's optional

Todoist¶

Set up exactly five projects: 1. Finance 2. Career 3. Health 4. Relationships 5. Habits

Create two labels: - @outcome - @work

Step 4 — Start with One Goal¶

Pick one area of life that matters most right now.

Write a goal using GSA: - Goal — The end state you want - Strategy — Your approach - Actions — The scope of effort

Step 5 — Create 2–3 Outcomes¶

For your one goal, define 2–3 concrete outcomes.

Each outcome needs: - A clear "exists / does not exist" test - A soft deadline - 1–2 KPIs

Tag them @outcome in Todoist.

Step 6 — Add Work Units¶

For the nearest outcome, create work units.

Each work unit must: - Be completable in one sitting - Have a clear verb and object - Feel doable on a low-energy day

Tag them @work and give them due dates within the next two weeks.

Step 7 — Establish Your Weekly Review¶

Pick a day and time. Put it on the calendar.

This is non-negotiable. The weekly review is what keeps the system healthy.

What Not to Do¶

Don't try to set up everything at once
Don't create more than one goal to start
Don't skip the Direction step
Don't add more tags or projects

Your First Week¶

flowchart LR
    subgraph week ["YOUR FIRST WEEK"]
        D1["<b>Day 1</b><br/>Write direction"]
        D2["<b>Day 2</b><br/>Set up tools"]
        D3["<b>Day 3</b><br/>Create goal<br/>& outcomes"]
        D4["<b>Days 4-6</b><br/>Work on<br/>work units"]
        D7["<b>Day 7</b><br/>First weekly<br/>review"]
    end

    D1 --> D2 --> D3 --> D4 --> D7

    style D1 fill:#7c4dff,stroke:#5e35b1,color:#fff
    style D2 fill:#536dfe,stroke:#3d5afe,color:#fff
    style D3 fill:#448aff,stroke:#2979ff,color:#fff
    style D4 fill:#00bcd4,stroke:#00acc1,color:#fff
    style D7 fill:#ffc107,stroke:#ffb300,color:#000
    style week fill:#fafafa,stroke:#bdbdbd

Closing¶

The system works because it's forgiving.

Start small. Protect the layers. Let it grow naturally.