When structure is too rigid
- Rigid schedules fall apart when things
don't go to plan
- Inflexible routines that don't adapt to daily life
- New opportunities don't fit existing systems and processes
- Trying to organise too much into too small a 'space'
- Forcing a square peg into a round hole
Too much structure leaves you frustrated, stressed and exhausted. So you think it doesn't work and stop using it.
When flexibility is too flexible
- Constant reacting to every little thing
- Firefighting instead of dealing with what's important
- Struggling to focus on what matters
- Saying yes to everything and spreading yourself too thin.
Too much flexibility and you end up "busy being busy” without making any real progress. It's equally exhausting and
stressful but you don't want to be constrained.
The best approach
The people who are able to manage this best create frameworks that have a solid structure where they need it:
- Time for decisions
- Regular team check-ins
- Strategic thinking time
But enough flexiblity they can adapt when priorities change, life happens or things aren't working as planned.
It’s not about creating the perfect balance between structure and flexibility and then you're done. It’s being able to spot when you’ve tipped too far one way and making small adjustments to get yourself back on track.
Where are
you?
Take a look at your current habits:
- Do you have routines or rules that no longer work for you?
- Are you using “flexibility” as an excuse to avoid something?
- Which parts of your day benefit from being more flexible and which need clearer
boundaries?
You don't have to be structured OR flexible. You need to have structure when it counts and flexibility where it helps.
