Hi Reader,
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David’s system worked perfectly. Calendar blocked. Routines honored. Twenty years of discipline.

His daughter moved 3,000 miles away anyway.

The System That Worked

David did everything the productivity books told him to.

Morning routine: 5 AM, journaling, gym, inbox zero by 8. Weekly review every Sunday. Quarterly goals posted on the fridge.

His boss loved him. Projects came in early. His calendar was immaculate.

But his daughter Emma stopped inviting him to things. His wife started making plans without checking with him first.

And when Emma took a job across the country, the goodbye was polite. Not cold—just… short.

She said: “You were always reliable, Dad. Just not available.”

The Hidden Cost

Here’s the thing about David’s system: it was optimized for output.

Every block of time was accounted for. Every interruption was a threat to the system. Including the ones that mattered most.

His system didn’t fail. It succeeded at the wrong thing.

Mini Insight

A system can work and still cost too much. If yours has no flex—no room for the interruption that matters—it’s not protecting you. It’s isolating you.

Your system’s ROI includes what it costs your relationships.

The Reframe

Flexibility isn’t weakness. It’s engineering.

David didn’t need to throw out his system. He needed to redesign it so the people in his life weren’t treated as interruptions to manage.

That’s a different design spec. And it changes everything.

Try-This-Now (≤5 minutes)

1. Think of one person who depends on you—partner, kid, friend, colleague.
2. Ask yourself honestly: does my system make room for them, or work around them?
3. If “around them”—name one block this week you’d willingly give up for them.

Stop—this counts.

Your Pattern Tweak

Each type has a different blind spot when it comes to availability:

• Architect: Your system is beautiful. Ask: who did I design it for? Just me?
• Surfer: You’re naturally flexible—but do people know that, or do they just see chaos?
• Keeper: Your routines are solid. Build one “open block” this week with no agenda.
• Pilot: You say yes to everything—but is “available” the same as “present”?

(Don’t know your type? Reply “quiz” and I’ll send you the link.)

Living Profit (why this matters)

• Energy: A system that isolates you drains energy even when it “works.”
• Relationships: The people who matter most shouldn’t have to book time on your calendar.
• Income & Opportunities: The best opportunities come through people, not systems.

Coming up: Free Live Session

On Thursday, February 12 at 7 PM ET, I’m hosting a free 60-minute live session.

You already know you’re a [productivity_type goes here]. This session goes further. I’ll walk through why your type gets stuck the way it does—and what to do about it. You’ll also get live Q&A, so bring the question your quiz result didn’t answer.

Free. Live. No pitch, no replay paywall. Just 60 minutes that could change how you think about productivity.

As a Behind The Launch attendee, you also have access to two private small-group sessions (Feb 7 & Feb 10) with limited spots—in addition to the open one.

Pick your date: https://curiochat.com/webinar/?invite=btl

Excelsior,

Pierre/​
Founder, Curio Chat Academy

P.S.: David’s story isn’t unusual. Most systems are designed for output, not life. Next week, I’ll share what you can do about it—in 60 minutes. More on that next Saturday.