The Two Levels of Self-Alignment: Why I Stopped Forcing What Doesn't Fit

The other day, I was knee-deep in accounts payable—cross-checking invoices, emailing suppliers, updating records. You know, the stuff that makes a business run but slowly chips away at your soul if it’s not your thing.

I caught myself in that old, familiar state: mentally rushing, emotionally drained, slightly resentful.
I told myself the usual:

“Just reframe it. You’re honoring supplier relationships. You’re being a responsible business owner. This matters.”

And you know what? That worked—for a while.
I took a deep breath, made myself a tea, played some lo-fi beats, and soldiered on with a bit more peace.

But a few days later, the task came around again… and that creeping sense of “ugh” returned. I didn’t want to just cope. I wanted to change something. That’s when a deeper realization hit me:

There are two levels of self-alignment.

Level 1: Reframing the Task (Internal)

This is the mindset-level stuff.
Like telling yourself:

• “This builds trust with suppliers.”

• “I’m contributing to the team.”

• “This is an act of follow-through and integrity.”

It’s useful—don’t get me wrong. Reframing helps soften the resistance. It’s like putting balm on the blister so you can keep walking.

But you’re still walking in shoes that don’t fit.

Level 2: Redesigning the Task (External)

This is where you pause and ask:

“What if I could actually change the system so this task fits me better?”

And that’s when I made a new decision.
Instead of grinding through accounts payable every month, I’m building a process:

• Step-by-step documentation

• Training someone else

• Clear checks and balances

• A rhythm for review

In other words: I’m turning a draining task into a system that runs without me.

That’s when it clicked.

💥 The Realization

“When I rush because of pressure, I end up managing misalignment.
But when I give myself permission to slow down and redesign, I create flow and sustainability.”

Read that again if it resonates.

So much of life and business is spent coping with things that don’t fit us—because we feel too busy to redesign them. But redesigning is the only way to break the loop.

I’m learning that I can honor my wiring and build a business that works.
It just takes the courage to pause, zoom out, and choose alignment over urgency.

Internal Reframe (CBT style)

“I’ll keep doing the task, but change the way I relate to it.”
✅ Quick
✅ Useful in high-pressure moments
⚠️ But still feels like managing tension—not freedom

External Redesign (System shift)

“I’ll change the structure so I no longer have to force-fit myself.”
✅ Deeply energizing
✅ Plays to your strengths
⚠️ Takes time upfront
⚠️ Requires you to pause the rush to break the cycle

What about you?

What’s one area in your life or work where you’ve been grinding instead of redesigning?

Pause.
Breathe.
You don’t have to force what doesn’t fit.