The 5 Things You Need to Know to Set Up Your Environment for Success.

Do you ever feel defeated when trying to accomplish a goal? What gets you to take action to achieve what you set out to accomplish? We may have the greatest intentions in the world to complete a goal or task, however, it takes more than just good intentions to complete what we set out to accomplish. Achieving your goals can be difficult, but if you found a way to make accomplishing your goals easier, would you do it? Are you ready to get what you have always wanted? Here are the 5 things you must do to set up your environment for success.  

1. Surround yourself with like-minded people.

As stated by motivational speaker Jim Rohn, “You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Our environment shapes our way of being, it develops our beliefs, our values, our path in life. When I was growing up, I was shaped by the leaders of my family, the outdoors, working hard labor out on the farm, and I was surrounded by those that were strong in their faith. All these interactions with the people I became closest to shaped me to become who I am today. They have pushed me to pursue a degree in conservation biology as well as my Master of Business Administration, they have pushed me to start a leadership development business due to their positive example, and they have encouraged me to remain faithful to my God that I lovingly serve. When you think of the person you would like to become, who does that person look like? Who are you surrounding yourself with to help you get there? Are they positively influencing your life?

2. Gather your resources.

​Anything you set out to accomplish is going to require having the right materials and resources in place to accomplish your goal. Those resources might be money, education, the right people, equipment, technology, or a system that helps you get to where you need to be. Are these resources easily accessible for you? Do you have everything you need in place to reach your goal? What is it going to take? Gather what you need and take the next step.

3. Minimize distractions.

In our world today, it is far too easy to get distracted by the simplest of things. Maybe you have a mess in your house, your friends want you to come out for the night to party, your kids are seeking your attention, or maybe you are being sucked into the social media rabbit hole. I know for me social media has become my most detrimental habit that keeps pulling me back in. What I have found to be most useful is to make it hard for these distractions to come into your life. Put your phone in the other room, set time aside to be with your kids, make progress towards your goals when you know you will not be tempted to commit to things that do not aid in your development. Make it simple to act on your goals and difficult to be tempted into distraction. The way you set up your environment will ultimately determine your level of success.
 
4. Write it down.

​According to psychology professor Dr. Gail Matthews, at the Dominican University in California, “You are 42 percent more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down,” as stated in his study of nearly 270 participants. When we write what we think about, it starts to become a part of us. If we continually feed our minds with positive information that aids in our growth, we will draw closer and closer to our desires. We are a product of our thoughts, but what good is thinking without action? Writing your thoughts down on a piece of paper, on your phone, or on your computer will begin to solidify your beliefs into action. What action do you seek to create? Start today!

5. Make your goal public.

“Nothing of significance was ever achieved by an individual acting alone. Look below the surface and you will find that all seemingly solo acts are really team efforts.” John Maxwell put it best when he stated the above quote communicating that anything of significance is never achieved by one individual acting alone. When we make our goals public, we are then held accountable for our words and following through with them in action. When we communicate what we think about to those that we care about, we begin to see belief turn into action. Be brave in sharing your dreams and aspirations, you will soon find out that they will become a part of you, and others will too.

​Now that you have the ideas and tools for setting up your environment for success, what example will you lead? Now is the time for you to stop procrastinating on what you know you need to do. Now is the time to reach your full potential. This is the time where you become your true, authentic self, that lives a life of positive change for those around you. You are capable of greatness, you have the perseverance to do what it takes, you are the architect of your own environment! What will you choose?

With encouragement,

Carl