You Are the System: 4 Ways to Upgrade Yourself Today

We upgrade our phones, apps, and cars—why not ourselves? Discover four powerful ways to renew your personal productivity and stay sharp.

Author

Wilson Obeneme
May 31, 2025

As humans, we have a natural desire for something new and better.
We’re wired to seek improvement, and we quickly get bored with the status quo.

That’s why people often buy new phones even when their current ones still work perfectly. Maybe it's the allure of a better camera, sleeker design, more storage, or faster performance.
The same logic applies to cars, houses, clothes—even food. We crave enhancement and novelty.

This innate desire for improvement shouldn’t be limited to material things. It should extend to how you manage your time, energy, and goals.


It should apply to your productivity.

If you’ve been following this newsletter for a while, you’ve probably learned a lot. You may have even become more productive. That’s fantastic.

But here’s the catch:
Most people get comfortable with what’s working, and stop striving for what could work better. They plateau—not because they’ve reached their limit, but because they stop being intentional about growth.

Today’s reminder is simple:
Even if your system is working, it can work better.
Even if you’ve improved, you can improve more.

This principle is echoed in Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw from the timeless book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.

Covey encourages us to continuously invest in self-renewal across four core areas to maintain and increase effectiveness:

The Four Key Areas to “Sharpen the Saw”:

1. Physical – Take care of your body for long-term energy and performance.

Try these:

1. Add a 20-minute walk to your daily routine.

2. Commit to sleeping at least 7 hours a night.

3. Do 10 minutes of stretching or mobility exercises in the morning to wake up your body.

4. Keep a water bottle within reach and aim to drink 2 liters daily.

2. Mental – Keep your mind sharp through continuous learning and mental challenges.

Try these:

1. Read one chapter of a book daily.

2. Take an online course in a new area of interest.

3. Limit mindless scrolling and replace it with a podcast or TED Talk during idle time.

4. Practice focused work by using the Pomodoro technique (25 minutes work, 5 minutes rest) to build mental endurance.

3. Emotional/Social – Build strong relationships and emotional resilience.

Try these:

1. Schedule regular catch-ups with loved ones.

2. Journal your thoughts at the end of the day.

3. Set emotional boundaries to protect your time and energy.

4. Practice active listening in conversations—be fully present and avoid interrupting.

4. Spiritual/Purposeful – Reconnect with what gives your life meaning and direction.

Try these:

1. Practice mindfulness, meditation, or prayer.

2. Spend time in silence each morning to reflect on your purpose.

3. Revisit your personal mission or values statement every month.

4. Volunteer for a cause that aligns with your beliefs—it renews purpose and perspective.

Final Thought

You upgrade your phone. You upgrade your wardrobe.


Don’t forget to upgrade yourself.


Productivity isn't a one-time achievement—it’s a continuous improvement journey.

Even if it's working… it can work better.

Even if you're growing… you can grow deeper.