Success in any area of life never happens in a complete vacuum. Often it is
just as much dependent on an individual’s will-power and intelligence as it is
on their environment and outside circumstances.
To find
happiness and success, you therefore need to pay attention and take some
control over the type of environments you are surrounding yourself in on a
daily basis; even the strongest and brightest of minds will find it difficult
to achieve their goals if they are in a completely wrong environment for them. This
is because every aspect of your external life has some influence over your
internal thoughts and behaviors, especially the people you surround yourself
with on a daily basis, and the type of places where you spend most of your
time.
Time to look at the people you surround yourself with…..
The first
main aspect of our environment that influences our success is the people we
surround ourselves with on a daily basis.
For
example, a recent study published in a 2013 issue of Psychological Science found that surrounding yourself with
friends who are more self-disciplined can also help you become more
self-disciplined. This is just one of many examples of how our social network
can have an influence over our own behavior and goal-seeking.
It fits
well with other research that shows if you hang around people who are unhealthy;
it’s more likely you will become unhealthy on some level. And if you hang
around with people who are lazy and don’t study for class, it’s likely you’ll
end up with similar grades as them too.
More and
more scientific evidence is beginning to show that we become a reflection of
the types of people we hang out with the most. This social influence affects
every area of our lives: at home, at work, at school, at a party, or wherever.
So take a
moment to think about some of your own personal goals and values. Are there any
people in your life who are currently holding you back from achieving them? Be
honest.
Instead
of spending time with people who are unhappy in life, spend time with people
who make you love life and motivate you to improve yourself for the better. That to
me is one of the most important characteristics in a healthy relationship. It’s
also essential to achieving success. If you have the right people in your life,
it’ll be easy to find that extra boost of support when you really need it.
Think about the work environment you spend your time at……
The
second main aspect of our environment that influences our success is the places
we spend most of our time at.
For
example, one important factor that has shown to increase productivity and
happiness is giving people some freedom to design their own workplace.
Taking
ownership over where you spend your time allows you to choose an environment
that motivates and inspires you. A good environment for success should keep
your senses stimulated and awake while you work on your goals, while not being
too distracting.
I work
with a lot of entrepreneurs who are challenged to stay organized and motivated
when working from home. One specific thing you could do if you love the
outdoors is to put scenic pictures, plants or a fish tank in your office to
surround yourself with nature more. There have been countless studies showing
how exposing ourselves to nature can improve focus, minimize stress, and boost
cognitive ability.
Another
thing you can do is decorating your workspace with motivational posters, quotes
and affirmations. These can be great resources to have around the office when
you need something to lift your mood. Find images that are visually appealing
to you, with designs and colors that make you feel good and set the right tone
for you and your goals.
Often
times when working for large organizations we can lose a sense of our personal
identity. Your office is usually the one place you have some freedom to express
yourself, so create a work environment that works for you – something that
reflects some of your own values and interests, and something that motivates
and inspires you. Pictures of loved ones always make people feel happy.
You can
also try changing your workspace around every few months or so to keep it fresh
and interesting. On the surface it may not seem like a big deal, but remember
this is the place you work at every day, so it’s going to have an influence on
your success and inspiration whether you realize it or not. You might as well
make it as positive as possible.
It’s about choosing an environment that brings out the best in you……..
At the
end of the day, you can’t meet your full potential for success unless you find
an environment that brings out the very best in you.
Try to
become more aware of the people and places you interact with on a daily basis.
Are they encouraging your success or discouraging it? How can you make some
changes to your environment so that it better serves you and your goals?
Achieve
your full potential and work with a Business and Life Management Coach who has
over 20 years’ experience empowering individuals, executives and business
owners to attain self-defined success in their professional & personal
lives. Book a complimentary session at http://www.denisedema.com
