Last year, I won a cruise playing Pictionary on a game show. But the real prize wasn't the vacation – it was the unexpected lesson about building systems that truly work.

The Unexpected Journey

My friend chose me as his game show partner for one simple reason: I was "the friend who's always drawing during group travels."

It's true – you'd find me sketching in coffee shops, in line waiting for Chipotle, or even on the floor of music festivals.

Drawing wasn't just a hobby; it was my way of finding peace and processing experiences in busy environments.

Curious about how it all played out? Here's the moment from the actual game show episode:

When we went to the game show audition, something interesting happened. The casting agent mentioned the cruise prize, and I was so surprised; I wasn't there for the potential reward… I was genuinely excited about the opportunity to draw.

Even while we were filming watching other contestants compete for the cruise I was wondering what would lead to me drawing more: if we lost, I would get a Pictionary game as a consolation prize so we can play more and if we won, there would be more rounds in the game. The prize became secondary to doing what felt natural.

The Parallel with Notion Systems

This experience reflects how I approach building Notion systems for clients. Here's what I've learned:

1. Trust Your Natural Workflow

Just as drawing was my intuitive way of processing information, every person and team has natural ways of working.

When building a Notion system, I look for these organic patterns that exist in their current files rather than forcing predetermined templates.

The best systems enhance your natural flow rather than disrupting it.

2. Focus on the Building Blocks

In Pictionary, success came from breaking down complex ideas into simple, recognizable elements. Similarly, the most effective Notion workspaces start with fundamental building blocks – databases, relations, and views that feel intuitive to the user. It's about finding joy in these basic components and letting them combine into something powerful.

3. Let Curiosity Guide Innovation

My genuine interest in drawing led to an unexpected win. In Notion consulting, getting to explore my curiosity with how my clients work often reveals unique solutions we might have missed if I wasn’t connecting directly with them, or if we only focused on conventional approaches.

4. Balance Enjoyment and Effectiveness

The game show taught me that when you enjoy the process, good results often follow.

In Notion, this means creating systems that are not just efficient but genuinely enjoyable to use.

When users look forward to actively contributing with their workspace, whether it be discovering content that matters to their work or adding emojis where it brings joy, adoption and productivity naturally increase.

Applying These Principles in Your Workspace

When building your own Notion system, consider:

• What parts of your current workflow feel most natural?
• Which tasks bring you energy rather than drain it?
• How can your Notion setup enhance these natural tendencies?
• Where can you find small moments of delight in your daily systems?

The Bigger Picture

Sometimes the best solutions come not from forcing change, but from paying attention to what already works for you and your team. Whether you're organizing a creative business or streamlining client workflows, let your intuitive patterns guide you while keeping your goals in view.

Just as I found success by focusing on the joy of drawing rather than the prize, you might find your most effective Notion system by focusing on what feels right rather than what you think a "proper" system should look like.

Ready to build a Notion system that works with your natural workflow? Let's explore how your unique way of working can become the foundation of an effective, enjoyable workspace. 💙

Book an intro call to discover how we can build a Notion system that feels as natural as your favorite way of working.