Harness the Power of Your Surroundings
August 29, 2009
Photo courtesy of wili_hybrid
Few things have as much power over who you are, and who you will become as your surroundings. If you are always surrounded by clutter than you will find it very difficult to focus. If you hang around a bunch of cynics than it is going to be hard for you to see new opportunities. If you watch violent tv shows on a regular basis you will be more tense. The thing is that your brain is constantly recording. Every smell, taste, person, thought, and image you pass is permanently a part of your sub-conscious. All of that stuff dwells in you, and over time the influence of these memories will manifest.
Obviously no one can control every aspect of their surroundings. There will be some things that just can not be avoided. Do not waist a moment worrying about what you can not change. There are things that you can do that will make a difference. This is what you must focus on. It is a matter of life or mediocrity.
Be picky about who you hang around with. Everyone wants to be a nice person, but if you are hanging around someone with bad habits, you will likely pick up some of their habits. Pick who you hang around for the habits and life that you want.
Get rid of clutter. If a room is too difficult to keep clean, it usually means that you either have to much stuff, or need to do some rearranging. If you can not arrange things without them looking cluttered, than you should take a few minutes to read “Have More Own Less”.
Have a focus area. I have an entire room set aside for this. This is a place where you can surround yourself with reminders of the values that you want to embody. Put pictures that inspire, quotes that motivate, anything at all that will focus you on your goals. Make it clear that when you are in this area, you are their to focus. No TV allowed. Try to spend at least five minutes a day here.
Improve your Relationships. This is a big one. When it comes to family and co-workers you will eventually have to hang around them. If you have a rocky relationship in one of these areas it will create tension, and could make even the most pleasant surrounding unbearable. Here are some things you can do about this. Take an assertiveness course. These courses focus on helping you stand up for yourself in a way that doesn’t make the situation worse, and they help give perspective on when you should stand up for yourself. If its a past argument, apologize, a simple sorry can be way more beneficial than waiting for them to admit they were wrong. Take time to do something helpful for them.
Just be aware. Take a real hard look at the things people and places around you. Consider there behaviors, consider how you feel in these areas, look up the lyrics of the songs you listen to regularly. Is this stuff that you want to be a part of who you are? Are these habits that you really want? Do you like who you act like when your with this person? If the answer is no, cut off the relationship, find a new song, change the area around, don’t go there, but be aware of who you are making yourself into.
While real peace is not determined by what is around you. Your habits, your attitudes, and your behaviors, which become your destiny are all extremely affected by these things. Are you satisfied with your surroundings? What could you do to make them better? Do you have any suggestions that I missed?
Entry Filed under: organization. .
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1.
Kye | August 31, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I like it that you are considering all these different dimensions together–even song lyrics!
Now that's some thorough decluttering.
2.
Patrick | August 31, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Your surroundings are an expression of your inner world. A change in the outer area can be an impulse to change on the inside too. But it is even more important to make the change on the inside, otherwise you will fall back into the trap.
3.
Karlil | August 31, 2009 at 11:50 pm
The friends we come to hang out with have strong influence in all of us. It's wise to picky. well said JS.
4.
Charley Forness | September 1, 2009 at 2:14 am
Hey Justin,
Thanks for the great article, and the link to the Have More, Own Less article. Decluttering is one of my prime focuses right now, and I was just working on a chapter for a book on editing your personal contacts. It's interesting, this ebb and flow of accumulation followed by purging. I think that the real trick is if you can prevent the accumulation stage.
Warm Regards,
Charley
5.
Anastasiya | September 1, 2009 at 2:42 am
A lot of times people think that they cannot change anything in their lives because they cannot change themselves. However you are absolutely right that if you start changing your surroundings then pretty soon you will notice a change in yourself.
I would like to add that sometimes you can see a tremedous difference in your life by just changing your … wardrobe. People who wear mostly dark colors are usually pessimistic and they do not have enough confidence in themselves. At the same time people who prefer light and bright colors (I am not talking about the crazy 80's fashion, uggghh) are optimistic, they are joyful and most of the time they are satisfied with their life.
The power of your surroundings is really enormous. Thanks Justin for this great article.
6.
Walter | September 1, 2009 at 6:14 am
These seemingly basic principles you have stated here are completely overlooked by many. I'm one of them. I did not realise that my surrounding have an impact on my well-being and the desicions I made.
Nice of you to elaborate it here. :-)
7.
Steven Aitchison | September 1, 2009 at 6:20 am
Justin this is a great reminder that your surroundings can affect your life. I especially liked 'be picky who you hang around with', this is a very important point.
8.
Daniel Richard | September 1, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Dual agree with Steve on the being picky with people!
The point on clutter too struck a chord. My room is a tad bit messy — but managable — at the moment. Any thing beyond managable = not too good for productivity.
Gonna clean up my inbox tray now. :)
9.
jai kai - sharingsuccess.tv | September 2, 2009 at 1:34 am
Justin,
These are excellent points. All are valuable but i believe Just be Aware is the most important one of all…I just finished re-reading a New Earth by Echart Tolle – the most amazing book-teaching you how to become more aware.
10.
Jeffrey Tang | September 2, 2009 at 4:47 am
I believe there's a saying to the effect of: your success in life is largely determined by the people you associate with. I think there's a profound truth to that statement. Other people certainly don't control our lives, but the more time you spend around someone, the more they influence you. Over time, even these subtle influences can really change who you are and what you do.
11.
Dayne | TheHappySelf.com | September 2, 2009 at 11:01 pm
What a great post! The points that really popped out to me were being "picky" with people who you surround yourself with (100% agree) and also, getting rid of clutter. Just doing those two things alone will for sure bring about a more happier life.
Great blog btw! :)
Dayne
TheHappySelf.com
12.
Kelli Garner | October 1, 2009 at 6:25 am
Thats very good to know… thanks