When Things Break¶

Diagnosis and Recovery

It Will Break¶

This system assumes failure. Missed days, lost weeks, low motivation, unexpected life events — these are expected.

The question is not "how do I prevent failure?" but "how do I recover?"

First: Don't Change the System¶

Critical Rule

Do not change the system while dysregulated.

Most destructive changes happen while tired, frustrated, or ashamed.

Stabilize first. Diagnose later.

Diagnose by Layer¶

When something feels wrong, ask which layer is being violated:

flowchart LR
    subgraph symptoms ["SYMPTOM"]
        S1["Motivation gone"]
        S2["Resistance to goals"]
        S3["Chaos in tasks"]
        S4["Overwhelm"]
        S5["No time"]
        S6["Confusion"]
    end

    subgraph layers ["CHECK THIS LAYER"]
        L1["Direction"]
        L2["Goal"]
        L3["Outcome"]
        L4["Execution"]
        L5["Time"]
        L6["Feedback"]
    end

    S1 --> L1
    S2 --> L2
    S3 --> L3
    S4 --> L4
    S5 --> L5
    S6 --> L6

    style S1 fill:#ffcdd2,stroke:#ef5350,color:#000
    style S2 fill:#ffcdd2,stroke:#ef5350,color:#000
    style S3 fill:#ffcdd2,stroke:#ef5350,color:#000
    style S4 fill:#ffcdd2,stroke:#ef5350,color:#000
    style S5 fill:#ffcdd2,stroke:#ef5350,color:#000
    style S6 fill:#ffcdd2,stroke:#ef5350,color:#000
    style L1 fill:#c8e6c9,stroke:#66bb6a,color:#000
    style L2 fill:#c8e6c9,stroke:#66bb6a,color:#000
    style L3 fill:#c8e6c9,stroke:#66bb6a,color:#000
    style L4 fill:#c8e6c9,stroke:#66bb6a,color:#000
    style L5 fill:#c8e6c9,stroke:#66bb6a,color:#000
    style L6 fill:#c8e6c9,stroke:#66bb6a,color:#000
    style symptoms fill:#ffebee,stroke:#ef9a9a
    style layers fill:#e8f5e9,stroke:#a5d6a7

Most problems are layer violations, not discipline problems.

Common Breakdowns¶

"I don't know what to work on"¶

Diagnosis: Outcome layer is unclear or missing.

Fix: Step back. Define what concrete result you're trying to create. Create the outcome first, then work units.

"Everything feels heavy"¶

Diagnosis: Direction is unclear, or goals are misaligned.

Fix: Revisit the Direction questions. Are you still pursuing the right things?

"I can't keep up"¶

Diagnosis: Time layer is dishonest. Calendar doesn't reflect reality.

Fix: Look at your calendar. Are buffers present? Are you scheduling intentions instead of realistic work?

"I keep avoiding my tasks"¶

Diagnosis: Work units are too large or too vague.

Fix: Break them down. Every work unit must be completable in one sitting.

"I don't trust the system"¶

Diagnosis: Weekly review is being skipped.

Fix: Do a weekly review. Clean the system. Restore trust.

Recovery Protocol¶

If overwhelmed:

Stop the bleeding — Ignore all goals, outcomes, projects. Pick one tiny work unit. Do it.
Shrink the surface area — Delete or hide overdue work units, vague tasks, aspirational commitments.
Choose a recovery mode:
Minimum viable execution (one work unit per day)
Maintenance only (no new commitments)
Rest and observation (no execution)
Restart small — One outcome, one work unit, one day.

What Not to Do¶

Never:

Rewrite all goals while dysregulated
Change tools impulsively
Add structure to solve exhaustion
Punish yourself with stricter rules

Signals You're Recovered¶

Tasks feel neutral again
You can miss a day without spiraling
Planning feels optional, not urgent

Only then resume normal cadence.

Closing¶

A good system is not one that never breaks.

It's one that breaks predictably, recovers gently, and leaves no scars.