Your Environment Matters More Than You Think
The Japanese say that you have three faces. The first face, you show to the world. The second face, you show to your close friends and family. The third face, you never show anyone. And it is this face that is the truest reflection of who you are.
The people we surround ourselves with either raise or lower our standards. They either help us become the best version of ourselves or encourage us to become lesser versions of ourselves. We become like the people we spend the most time with or listen to the most.
We all need people in our lives who raise our standards, remind us of our essential purpose, and challenge us to become the best version of ourselves we can possibly be.
Even the best coach of all-time is in agreement with this idea: "You will be the same person in five years as you are today, except for the people you meet and the books you read." - John Wooden
The true mark of a person is not always who or what we impact, but who or what impacts us. And the great thing is, we get to play a role in that. We choose and allow what we focus on.
Who are you choosing to surround yourself with? What are you choosing to focus your eyes on?
Before moving forward, let me clear. Simply designing a powerful environment by hanging around good people doesn't mean you can just mail it in and assume your life is going to dramatically change. You still need to work.
Having a great teacher doesn't mean you will learn.
Having a great trainer doesn't mean you will become fit.
Having a great doctor doesn't mean you will become healthy.
At some point you have to realize that your growth is your responsibility. Get the guidance you need, but do your part by putting in the work.
But this idea that "change is hard" is one of the biggest myths about human behavior. The truth is, you change effortlessly and all the time. The primary job of the brain is to adjust your behavior based on the environment.
Design a better environment and change will happen naturally.
How you choose to surround yourself shapes you. Ancient wisdom reveals this. Latest research reveals this.
Want to stop cursing? Stop listening to that kind of music, thinking it doesn't affect the way you speak. Want to stop eating junk food? Stop buying it at the store, thinking you'll have the self-discipline later to resist the temptation. Want to stop lusting after the wrong things? Stop following those accounts, thinking that seeing half-naked women on social media is normal for someone your age.
If you desire a better life, design a better environment. Your environment matters more than you think.