We’re halfway into December, which means most of you—especially those closer to my age—have already watched Home Alone again. And every year, people say the same thing about Kevin: “He’s so resourceful.”
But here’s what actually jumps out at me.
It’s not just resourcefulness.
The kid built a system.
Watch the movie closely. Kevin doesn’t just grab random objects and hope for the best. He creates a coordinated sequence.
He maps the house.
He identifies entry points.
He predicts behavior.
He sets traps that trigger other traps.
He creates diversions.
He buys time.
He uses obstacles to funnel the burglars exactly where he wants them.
The tar on the stairs slows them down so the iron can hit Marv at the right moment.
The icy steps outside force Harry to change his path and walk into the blowtorch trap.
The toy cars cause a fall that leads them straight into the paint cans swinging down the staircase.
Every trap isn’t isolated. It’s connected. One action creates the conditions for the next one to work.
That’s what you need to do to succeed.
Build systems that make success repeatable.
A good system:
• simplifies decisions
• removes friction
• creates predictable outcomes
• multiplies effort
• protects you from chaos
Kevin survived because he wasn’t relying on luck or random cleverness. He built a process that could operate under pressure. He’s also a certified psychopath.
That’s the real lesson:
Resourcefulness gives you a moment.
Systems give you a win.
Those who win will be labelled as psychotic in their mission.
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