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DESIGNING YOUR SUCCESS ENVIRONMENT
"It is impossible to reach a future ideal goal if the present is not set up to support it"—Laura Berman Fortgang
Whether we realize it or not, the results we are getting in our lives today are fully supported by the environments in which we live and interact. Our environments are PERFECTLY DESIGNED to support the results we are currently getting. In order to change and sustain new results, we have to change our environmental support systems to be in alignment with this new way of being and doing.
Environments, as used here, are not just our external physical surroundings like our home or office, but also include our relationships, our personal frame of reference (internal thoughts, beliefs, ideas, etc..), our interests and activities. In order to fully attain our desired vision, we must examine how all of our environments can support and sustain the future we see for ourselves and then begin to make the changes necessary. The key here is that in order to get new results, we have to take a new approach. Just relying on willpower, self-discipline does not work because it only deals with one aspect of our environment--our inner thoughts. Without making changes in other areas, pressure to stay the same will outlast the will to change. Nearly every time.
Every goal has an environment to support it. Consider your goals and vision for your life. Get a clear picture in your mind of yourself with the results you want in your life. Now, think about what your environmental supports look like as you envision a different future. For example, if you are envisioning yourself as a healthy and fit person, consider what your physical environment looks like as this person (what things are present there? what is no longer present?), and your relationships (who are you interacting with? Who is supporting this new you?), what thoughts and feelings are you having?, what activities are you engaged in?. Once you start to go through the picture, it becomes clear that there is MUCH MORE to being a fit and healthy person than just having the willpower to eat right and exercise. You become a fit and healthy person by creating an environment that if FIT FOR a healthy, fit person. The same is true with any other goal or result you want to get, be it relationships, career, financial, etc…Design the right environment and the results you want will follow.
Now it's your turn. Select a goal, personal vision, or result you are passionate about, but perhaps stuck on. Get a clear picture in your mind about what you are trying to achieve. Then, examine the Environment lists below. Consider what elements are already aligned to support your vision and which need to be re-aligned. Make note of your thoughts and observations:
What in your current environment will help you to attain your vision? [put a + next to the item]
What hinders you? What currently is a drain for you? [put a - next to the item]
How can you shift to create environments that inspire, rather than drain you?
What are the top 5 environmental supports will you need to sustain your success? [rank them]
PHYSICAL SPACES
My Home, My yard or outdoor spaces, My Office, My Car, My Neighborhood, My view, My personal space, My city, state
RELATIONSHIPS
__My special relationship
__My friends
__My colleagues
__My neighbors
__My children
__My siblings
POSSESSIONS
__My Clothes
__My furniture
__My appliances
__My work tools
__My "toys
WORK/CAREER
__My workload
__My job content
__My boss/leader
__The culture, tone, atmosphere
__Resources, tools and support
__Clients, customers
__My skills, abilities, knowledge
HEALTH/WELL BEING
__My body
__My diet
__My habits
__My emotional life
__My spiritual life
__My pleasures, indulgences, joys
ACTIVITIES/INTERESTS
__Social
__Leisure
__Community service or volunteer
__School
__Sports/athletics or physical
__creative expression
__Talents & gifts
FRAME OF REFERENCE
__Beliefs
__Emotions
__Values
__Thoughts
__Knowledge
__Experiences
__Feelings
Whether we realize it or not, the results we are getting in our lives today are fully supported by the environments in which we live and interact. Our environments are PERFECTLY DESIGNED to support the results we are currently getting. In order to change and sustain new results, we have to change our environmental support systems to be in alignment with this new way of being and doing.
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© 2006, Shawn Driscoll, Succeed Coaching & Development. This article is provided courtesy of Shawn Driscoll, Career Success Coach and owner of www.succeedcoaching.com. Professionals: upgrade your work life today! We provide products and services to help you succeed at work, in business and in life. Sign up to receive your free Success Wise ezine—and get success tips, inspiration, and resources to skyrocket your success—at www.succeedcoaching.com.