I have a confession to make: I’m kind of obsessed with three things: Coffee, lists, and systems.
If you’ve been with me for a while, you may already know this. But if you’re new here, surprise! I’m a simple girl who loves simple things. But here’s what you might not know: these three things are my love languages—and they show up in everything I do. Especially in my business.
So I figured I’d take a second to talk about it. Because when you understand what makes you tick, everything becomes just a little more interesting. And what makes you interesting is essential to building an authentic business (and a life) that actually feels like yours.
Coffee: The Ritual That Grounds Me
Let’s start with the obvious one: coffee.
I’m not talking about the “I need caffeine to function” kind of coffee (though, let’s be real, that’s part of it). I’m talking about coffee as a daily ritual.
Every morning, I make coffee for my husband and me. We sit down together for breakfast, coffee in tow. And we ease into the day. It’s not rushed. or chaotic. It’s a natural flow.
That morning coffee ritual signals to my brain: “Okay, we’re starting. Let’s do this.” It’s the transition from sleep mode to work mode that I need. And is absolutely non-negotiable.
In life, and in business, you need something that grounds you. Something that’s just for you, that reminds you to slow down. Even when everything (and everyone) else is moving fast. For me, it’s coffee.
What is it for you? Whatever it is—protect it. Because these rituals are what keep you sane in the midst of chaos.
Lists: The ADHD Brain’s Best Friend
Now let’s talk about lists. They are my other great love, and a close second.
In my world, if it’s not written down, it doesn’t exist, and it won’t happen. That’s why I keep lists for everything:
- Daily to-do list
- Running to-do list (more like a brain dump or a wish list)
- Project tasks
- Ideas I want to remember
- Things I need to buy
- Books I want to read
- Goals I’m working toward
- Random dreams I get woken up by
Why all the lists? Because we have over 50,000 thoughts a day, and my ADHD brain can’t hold onto all of those thoughts. If I don’t write it down immediately, it’s gone. Vanished into the void.
But lists do more than just help me remember things. They also help me focus.
When I have a list, I know what I’m supposed to be doing. I’m not wandering around wondering what’s next and I’m not getting distracted by every shiny object that crosses my path.
The key is that I keep most of my lists short. I don’t put 47 things on my daily to-do list. Instead, I only put what I think I can actually accomplish that day. Anything else gets moved to another day. I space things out so it’s manageable, not overwhelming.
Lists aren’t about cramming as much as possible into a day. They’re about clarity, focus, and having an understanding of what actually matters. That’s why they’re a love language for me. Lists help me function, show up, and do things instead of just thinking about doing them.
Systems: The Framework That Makes Everything Work
And then there are systems. My favorite of the three.
Systems are what I do. They’re what I build for clients, and what I geek out over. Believe it or not, they make me genuinely excited to get to work.
But they’re also what make my life work. I have systems for everything:
- Weekly planning
- Managing my client projects
- Organizing my emails and files
- Goal setting and tracking
- Creating and planning content
But I especially love the systems because they remove the guesswork.
When you have a system, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time you do something. There’s no more figuring out what to do next. You just follow the process.
Think of it like having a recipe. You don’t have to be a chef to make a great meal—you just have to follow the steps, right?
That’s what systems do. They give you a framework, structure, and a way to operate that doesn’t require constant decision-making or mental energy. And for someone with ADHD? That’s everything. Because the less I have to think about how to do something, the more energy I have to actually do it.
How This Shows Up in My Business
So what does all of this have to do with my business? Everything.
Coffee reminds me to build in rituals and routines that ground me. To protect my mornings and start the day with intention instead of chaos.
Lists keep me focused and organized. They help me prioritize what actually matters instead of spinning my wheels on tasks that don’t move the needle.
Systems are literally what I build for clients. I take their chaotic, bubble-gum-and-duct-tape operations and turn them into something that actually works. Something repeatable, scalable, and something that doesn’t require them to hold everything in their head.
These aren’t just things I like. They’re the foundation of how I operate—both personally and professionally.
I honestly think that’s what makes me good at what I do. Because I don’t just understand systems intellectually. I live and breathe them. And when you love something as much as I love coffee, lists, and systems, you get really good at it.
What Are Your Love Languages?
So here’s my question for you: What are your love languages?
Not the romantic kind (though those are great too). I’m talking about the things that make you feel grounded. The things that make you feel like you.
Maybe it’s:
- A morning walk
- Journaling
- Meal prepping on Sundays
- Color-coded calendars
- A clean workspace
- A specific playlist
Whatever it is—lean into it. Build your business around it. Let it shape how you operate. The more your business aligns with who you actually are, the easier it becomes to show up and do the work.
