How to use your environment to help reach your goals

When people set goals, one thing we often overlook that has a big impact on our success is environment. Our surroundings play a big role in whether we take on good habits that will help us reach our goal or stick with bad ones that ruin the progress. In this article, we’ll explore how tweaking your environment can be the key to success and good habits.

Lesson 1 - Have a physical way to see your progress. 

Imagine playing Candy Crush without it having the map that shows what level you’re on as you make progress. That’s exactly what you’re doing when you set a goal and go after it without tracking your progress along the way to the finish line.

To really understand your progress, you need a way to track it. To do this, make a checklist on a sheet of paper or use a dry erase marker on your bathroom mirror to see your checkpoints. This simple act keeps making steady progress towards your goals at the top of your mind, motivating you to stay on track. Here’s a quick article with more on how to track your progress.

Lesson 2 - Manage your physical environment. 

Take anything that would hurt your progress along the way to your goal out of your environment. For example, if I was trying to lose weight, I’d want to throw away any sweets that I have in the house. This can be tough if you have roommates, so just do as much as possible.

On the other hand, if there was anything I could add to my environment that might help me make progress(like a motivational picture or poster, or a journal to keep me organized), I’d add it.

Lesson 3 - Alter your digital environment. 

Just like you’d add or remove things from your physical environment that affect your progress, you wanna do the same thing for your digital environment too. In the example of me wanting to lose weight, I’d delete the Door Dash app on my phone and any other apps that make it easy for me to eat out. Also, you can add things to your phone like widgets and notes that keep you motivated.

Lesson 4 - Tell someone. 

Share your goals with one person you interact with regularly. This helps because accountability is a powerful motivator. Whether it’s giving up a bad habit or adding a positive one, letting someone know increases your sense of responsibility.

This might make it tough to admit if you have times of slacking, but the discomfort can be a good force to motivate you towards starting again and not giving up. Embrace the support of those around you on your way to success.

In conclusion, your environment can be something that either helps make or break your progress towards your goals. By making simple yet intentional changes, you can use your surroundings to your advantage rather than to your detriment. So go make changes and watch as your surroundings become a friend in helping you achieving your goals.

Have a business or personal goal you’re currently going for but struggling to reach? I’ll help you put together a game plan to get it done. You can sign up for one for free at goaldoctors.com. We’ll be happy to help! — from Nick