Inside/Outside
System boundaries
Happy New Year y’all! I hope that 2026 has begun with an optimistic note and trajectory towards good things for you and yours? I have been laying low on technology for the last few weeks enjoying time with friends and my own solitude. In general, when I remove myself from the technological circle, streaming, radio, news, social media, etc I notice a dramatic difference in my cognitive stress. These last couple of weeks have been no different. I hope you’ve all taken some downtime for yourselves.
Introduction
This new year I find myself physically and mentally quite removed from where I left 2025. As I was wrapping up 2025 I started to become overwhelmed with logistical concerns. I sold the farm and had much to resolve in doing so. I crafted my initial plan, began to execute and as time and weather proceeded, I began to feel the crunch. I just could not see how I would be able to get everything done within the allotted time. For any of you all who deal with projects, you’ll surely understand. I had unconsciously chained dependencies on an ‘ideal’ outcome. In this case, it was not having to move things twice. Unfortunately, this outcome would mean each load would require days and involve risk of breakdown or delay due to storms. I finally realized a few things.
First, I was embedded within the situation and this was a problem. I was emotionally invested in the activity (moving) as well as the potential solutions. Having created the plan myself I was holding on to it. This is not ideal. Secondly, I was trying to be overly efficient. I did not want to move items multiple times nor incur recurring costs. At the same time, I did not want to simply fire-sale items I might need later on. These two perspectives were at odds with the absolute time constraint. Fortunately, as soon as I realized what I was doing I was able to take myself out of the circumstances and look at the problems with fresh eyes. Upon doing so I realized the only way I would be successful in moving of the farm by closing was to create an intermediate step.
Once I created that intermediate milestone I was able to execute quickly and rapidly. My trips were measurable now in minutes, not days and signs of progress became obvious. I did still end up making quite a few donations of products and materials. Thankfully, these wound up going to good causes and were well received. Emotionally, rather than remaining a mental tax, these became an unexpected happy outcome. At this point you might be wondering, “How does this relates to systems Kreig? I’m glad you asked!
Boundaries
A system begins with the definition of the boundary and whether it is open or closed. My move involved various sub-systems all combined into the entire effort. Each of these sub-components have their own dependencies and interactions. For example the tools in the garage versus the wine cellar. While both may seem to be inanimate, the wine cannot be stored under the same conditions as tools can. Wine requires a regulated climate for storage - tools do not. This meant identifying and transporting a significant amount of wine somewhere that could satisfy this for an indeterminate amount of time and within my paltry budget ($0). The tools however, could be stored in just about any secured location. Thankfully books, household goods, and various equipment also required only a secured location.
Interactions
The interaction of the objects (tools or wine) with the weather created its own set of dependencies and requirements. The storage facility, for sure, but also my relationship to/with that facility, cost, and ultimately the logistics of working with the facility. Contrast this to my tools which were more directly within my control. I did not have to work with anyone to coordinate time and effort to transport or store these. The same for my household goods. Unwittingly, however, what I did do was to create an interaction of distance and weather by my desire to move these only once. That changed the interactions, opening up the system to weather, time, and a potential for breakdown(s) which I had already endured several times prior.
Complexity
Lots of moving parts versus moving parts that multiply. This is perhaps the best way I can explain the difference between complication and complexity. Any move is complicated. There are many things that need to be done before the effort is complete. Complexity is when those efforts, themselves, take on what seems like a life of their own. The low point of all of this was the day the mechanic could not successfully get one of my pieces of equipment running. That was the moment my emotional, cognitive, and physical fatigue peaked. I believed that piece of equipment needed only one thing to return to a nominal state - the mechanic. I was wrong. Many hours, and a considerable sum of money, became necessary. An unexpected outcome of this difficulty is a new-found appreciation for the true complexity that arises from embedded systems, like equipment, materials, tools, and household stuff.
Closing
I have moved countless times in my life but this last one is most definitely the most difficult. I used to always wonder whey farms and ranches held auctions when they retired. I now know why. Farms and ranches are complex systems involving many independently complicated systems of their own. Whether equipment runs or not, whether vehicles are licensed, or not. Insurance needs, emotional consideration, financial costs, and of course time.
When you’re in the middle of it, one tends to see trees, not a forest. This is where an external perspective helps. One cannot simply leave the keys on the table and pull the door closed on these types of systems. I was fortunate that I was able to pause and reconsider my objective. I suspect this is the true value of the auctions I never understood. All those bargains existed because the owners had decided to optimize differently. Now I know why.