PRINCIPLES OF SYSTEMS THINKING
Habits of a Systems Thinker in School
Cruz, Angelica Michelle R.
BSBA MM 3-2D
On each identified habit, relate it in your life, give examples and discuss with your
Team.
Habits of a Systems
Thinker
1. Seeks to understand
the big picture
2. Identifies the circular
nature of complex cause
and effect relationships
Assignment No. 3
May 13. 2021
Prof. Teresita Moneza
Life Experience / Examples
When I was young, I tend to always compare myself
with other kids. From time to time, I ask questions in my
brain about why some kids have things that I do not have,
and silently becoming envious of them. But, as I grew up, I
slowly learned how to seek to understand the bigger picture
in every situation. I learned that, yes, it is true that there are
things that other people have which I do not have, but at the
same, there are also things that I have that other people do
not have. And through that I slowly accepted the fact that
we cannot always have the things that we want because I
cannot really know if that one person is happy in having the
things that I want, or are they even contented with what they
have. And through that, I can reinforce the things that are
important to me and refocus my attention to determine and
set my priorities.
As I grow older, I learned how to be more careful and
sensitive with my actions because I may hurt someone’s
feelings without even knowing it, and I do not want that to
happen.
Back when I was in first year high school, I badly
wanted my classmates to want to be friends with me, since I
was a transfer student that time, so I changed my character
to fit with their likings. I became friends with people who
were careless, who did not care about school, or their
grades. In short, I became friends with people who
influenced me to do the same things that they were doing,
say words that I am not supposed to say as a kid even
though I am not sure if that is right or wrong, and because
of that, I hurt my lolo’s feelings since it was a great shock
 for him on how much I have changed. And that served like
an eye opener for me, and I realized that I do not have to
change to be liked by people, and that I must think twice or
thrice before doing something so I would not hurt my lolo
again or other people in the future.

When the lockdown started because of the

pandemic, I had the time to do the things that I have been
wanting to do but have not had the urge and the time to do
it, like revamping and restyling my old clothes, and trying
out and learning digital painting. I have been hesitant to it
3. Surfaces and tests before because I fear how it would turn out, and I might
assumptions disappoint myself if it did not turn out the way I wanted.
But since the lockdown started and have not have
much something to do, I finally tried revamping may clothes
and learned digital painting. I cannot say that it turned out
well, but at least I got to do it and learned the results of my
assumptions.

During the pandemic, I realized how important it is to

have a positive mindset despite of all crises we have been
facing. Having a positive mindset can go along way with
4. Considers how mental managing through this tough time.
models affect current
reality and the future Keeping a positive mindset and attitude has helped
me focus on the things that would give me what I need to
survive a day. Keeping a healthy mental health is one of the
things that I prioritize nowadays.

Accepting the consequences of my bad decisions are

5. Finds where unintended one of the things that I find hard to do. But even though it is
consequences emerge hard, I always think that it is important to learn how to
accept it, so that I can move forward and learn from it.

The pandemic had a huge impact in my life. And it is

devastating for me since I suddenly cannot do the things
that I am used to do and the things that I wanted to do. A lot
6. Observes how of matters changed since it happened, and one of the
elements within systems factors that are being affected by it is the way in education.
change over time, Students are now learning with their computers or
generating patterns and smartphones in front of them, and as a student myself, I
trends really find it hard to adjust with this new learning system.
 Being in front of the computer all day is straining my eyes
and draining my energy at the same time, unlike when we
are still having face-to-face classes.
Another thing that has been affected by the
pandemic is how consumers buy their necessities. As part
of the “new normal” people are required to wear facemasks
and face shields every time. People also tend to just order
their goods online and get them delivered at their doorsteps.

As an adult and as the eldest of the 6 siblings in the

7. Uses understanding of family, I became more practical with my every decision in
systems structure to life. Before I decide to do something, I always think of my
identify possible leverage siblings or other people around me first rather than thinking
actions about myself. I always want to do things that does not just
benefit me but benefits my siblings as well. Right now, I am
just working hard and doing my best for the sake of my
siblings.

For me, time delays are not really a big deal,

because I believe that every individual have their own paces
8. Recognizes the impact and it is okay to follow it because they will get to their
of time delays when destination eventually. Especially now that we are
exploring cause and effect experiencing a worldwide pandemic, people have their own
relationships ways to cope up with it.
However, delays in passing an assignment are
different. As a student, it is my responsibility to pass my
projects and assignments on time, that is why as much as
possible I do it as early as I can.

As a small business owner, it is essential for me to

have an organized system structure from finding a trusted
9. Recognizes that a supplier, product testing, production of items, packaging,
system’s structure labelling, marketing, advertising, up to asking for a
generates its behavior customer’s feedback. Since I do it all by myself, I might not
be able to launch my small business without a proper
system structure. Although I still find it hard to manage
sometimes, but I know that I will get used to it as time goes
by.

Being the eldest sister, I always try to put myself into my

siblings’ shoes so that I can understand them better,
especially with my youngest sibling when he finds it hard to
10. Change perspectives express himself. He is turning 7 and he still finds it hard to
to increase understanding converse with us when he needs something or when
something’s bothering him, which usually results to
tantrums. So, to understand him, I my best to be patient and
help him by putting myself in his perspective.

Resisting the urge to a quick conclusion is something

11. Considers an issue that I must practice doing. If a certain situation is bothering
fully and resists the urge me, I always get to the point where I cannot sleep because I
to come to a quick always think about it and be pressured about it, even
conclusion though I did not want it to. And for me to get over with it, I
just come to a quick decision that I always regret in the
future.

Considering the short and long-term consequences

12. Considers both short is one thing that I put into consideration before launching
and long-term my small business. It took huge amount of courage and
consequences of actions commitment since I wanted it to last, and I do not want it to
exist for just a short time. And for it to happen, I would need
a lot of time and effort before I could reach my goal.

In relation with my small business, before launching

13. Checks results and my candles, I spent a lot of money, time, and effort for
changes actions if product testing. I tried different formulation, brands of
needed: “successive fragrance oils and waxes, tried different pouring
approximation” temperature, different candle vessels before I could perfect
my candles. For any businesses and industries, it is a
matter of trials and errors to reach their goals.