Can we design the environment we live in to build success? Are we victims of the environment or creators of the environment? James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits, answers this question:
“Environment design is powerful not only because it influences how we engage with the world but also because we rarely do it. Most people live in a world others have created for them. But you can alter the spaces where you live and work to increase your exposure to positive cues and reduce your exposure to negative ones. Environment design allows you to take back control and become the architect of your life. Be the designer of your world and not merely the consumer of it.”
We can control the environment in which we function and focus our thoughts. We simply, as noted by James Clear, need to expose ourselves to the positive cues in our home and our work space and reduce our exposure to the negative cues. This requires us to intentionally focus on the positives with constant awareness to what we allow our minds to concentrate upon. When we find our minds wandering to the negative cues, refocus. If we are struggling to find positive cues, create them. Place positive pictures, positive quotes, read emails sent to you expressing gratitude for your help.
James Clear also states “I have never seen someone consistently stick to positive habits in a negative environment.” The most negative environment we exist in is often our own minds. Take control, create and focus on positive cues in your mind and watch your greatness expand!
