Last week I read Jared Diamond's remarkable, Pulitzer-
winning book on the rise and fall of human societies. The
book caused quite a stir because he examined groups over
the past 15,000 years to understand why some cultures
succeed in terms of longevity and well-being, while other
cultures advance slowly and die quickly. Unfortunately, I
suspect the book also caused a stir, in part, because of
its title, "Guns, Germs and Steel."
I mention this because it has everything to do with success
and failure in life. In the preface, Diamond writes,
"History followed different courses for different people
because of differences among people's environments, not
because of biological differences among people themselves."
(p. 25) Think about that!
The greatest predictor of success is not the people, but
their environments! I've long
believed that our Personal Eco-Systems™, the micro-
environment we create around ourselves every day, is the
best predictor of our long-term success, health, wealth and
happiness.
Many people have noted that "you are the average of the
five people you spend the most time with." I suspect there
is truth in that.
I also suspect that if I look at your library, your home,
your office, your car and the music you listen to, I can
predict very precisely how well you're getting along in
life. How could I not? There's no surprise in that!
We constantly interact with our environment. When we are
surrounded by sights, sounds, textures and tools that
stimulate or motivate us, we become energized, creative and
productive. Conversely, when we are surrounded by things
that annoy or distract us, we quickly become discouraged.
It happens to each of us, over and over, every day. Our
environment predicts our future!
Charlie "Tremendous!" Jones was famous for noting that,
"Five years from now, you will be the same person you are
today except for the books you read and the people you
meet." Environment matters! And, regarding Jones'
observation, I would add that you will be the same person
you are today except for the books you read and the people
you meet, along with the programs, classes and workshops
you attend and the challenges that enrich your life. But
the principle remains.
The truth is that we change because of our environment far
more than we change because of conscious decisions or will-
power. The Law of Homeostasis says we tend to remain the
same. We like our habits, our traditions and routines. We
say we "want to change" but over the long-haul, we rarely
do. We all know this.
Here are two powerful steps to achieve change in your life
or circumstances:
1. Decide exactly what you want. This is called goal-
setting or personal honesty. It's about dreams and desires,
about values, priorities and having the courage to choose.
Be clear about what you want!
2. Create an environment that pulls you forward. Surround
yourself with people, books, situations and activities that
reflect your desires. Talk with experts. Listen to the
programs and music they listen to. Take the classes, read
the books, dress and talk and think like they do. It'll rub
off on you!
As Diamond notes, the difference between success and
failure has little to do with talent, ability, or even
interests or intelligence. The key to achieving the things
you want in life is the environment in which you live. The
good news is you can easily control your environment! The
bad news is that few of us do.
Fortunately, it requires almost no money to change your
world! A library card is free. Inspiration and information
on the internet is free! Exercise is free, and an apple
costs less than a burger. Posters, pictures, good music and
an organized office cost very little. Having lunch with
successful people costs a few dollars. The bad news is that
so few of us rigorously monitor these things. We're "too
busy" and they are "too small" to be worth our time and
effort.
To change your life, change your world. Change your
personal environment, change the habits and daily
activities that fill your time, and your life must (and
will!) change for you. Will-power won't do it. You are
largely the product of your environment, so make sure your
world nurtures the person you want to become tomorrow more
than the person you are today.
winning book on the rise and fall of human societies. The
book caused quite a stir because he examined groups over
the past 15,000 years to understand why some cultures
succeed in terms of longevity and well-being, while other
cultures advance slowly and die quickly. Unfortunately, I
suspect the book also caused a stir, in part, because of
its title, "Guns, Germs and Steel."
I mention this because it has everything to do with success
and failure in life. In the preface, Diamond writes,
"History followed different courses for different people
because of differences among people's environments, not
because of biological differences among people themselves."
(p. 25) Think about that!
The greatest predictor of success is not the people, but
their environments! I've long
believed that our Personal Eco-Systems™, the micro-
environment we create around ourselves every day, is the
best predictor of our long-term success, health, wealth and
happiness.
Many people have noted that "you are the average of the
five people you spend the most time with." I suspect there
is truth in that.
I also suspect that if I look at your library, your home,
your office, your car and the music you listen to, I can
predict very precisely how well you're getting along in
life. How could I not? There's no surprise in that!
We constantly interact with our environment. When we are
surrounded by sights, sounds, textures and tools that
stimulate or motivate us, we become energized, creative and
productive. Conversely, when we are surrounded by things
that annoy or distract us, we quickly become discouraged.
It happens to each of us, over and over, every day. Our
environment predicts our future!
Charlie "Tremendous!" Jones was famous for noting that,
"Five years from now, you will be the same person you are
today except for the books you read and the people you
meet." Environment matters! And, regarding Jones'
observation, I would add that you will be the same person
you are today except for the books you read and the people
you meet, along with the programs, classes and workshops
you attend and the challenges that enrich your life. But
the principle remains.
The truth is that we change because of our environment far
more than we change because of conscious decisions or will-
power. The Law of Homeostasis says we tend to remain the
same. We like our habits, our traditions and routines. We
say we "want to change" but over the long-haul, we rarely
do. We all know this.
Here are two powerful steps to achieve change in your life
or circumstances:
1. Decide exactly what you want. This is called goal-
setting or personal honesty. It's about dreams and desires,
about values, priorities and having the courage to choose.
Be clear about what you want!
2. Create an environment that pulls you forward. Surround
yourself with people, books, situations and activities that
reflect your desires. Talk with experts. Listen to the
programs and music they listen to. Take the classes, read
the books, dress and talk and think like they do. It'll rub
off on you!
As Diamond notes, the difference between success and
failure has little to do with talent, ability, or even
interests or intelligence. The key to achieving the things
you want in life is the environment in which you live. The
good news is you can easily control your environment! The
bad news is that few of us do.
Fortunately, it requires almost no money to change your
world! A library card is free. Inspiration and information
on the internet is free! Exercise is free, and an apple
costs less than a burger. Posters, pictures, good music and
an organized office cost very little. Having lunch with
successful people costs a few dollars. The bad news is that
so few of us rigorously monitor these things. We're "too
busy" and they are "too small" to be worth our time and
effort.
To change your life, change your world. Change your
personal environment, change the habits and daily
activities that fill your time, and your life must (and
will!) change for you. Will-power won't do it. You are
largely the product of your environment, so make sure your
world nurtures the person you want to become tomorrow more
than the person you are today.
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