Creating the Right Environment for Success

Often when we read about success, we are told that successful people have certain qualities. For instance, we’re told that successful people are tenacious. Experts tell us that successful people rebound easily after failure. And they are flexible in how they reach their goals. But I would suggest that while those qualities are important, it is just as important to have the right environment for success.

Just like a flower needs an environment with oxygen and sunlight to grow, we need certain things in our environments to succeed. We need a stress-free home and peaceful relationships. We need time to think and relax.

Of course, there are exceptions. Some people achieve great things in the midst of dysfunction and poverty. But those people are few and far between. For most people, the right environment is necessary for success.

The good news is that as adults, to a large extent, we can choose our environment. For example, we can choose with whom we interact and where we live. We can set up our homes in a way that allows us to work hard and be creative. The key is to know how to create that optimal environment for success.

Below are some ways to create the best environment for success, so that you can reach your full potential.

For Success, Carefully Choose with Whom You Spend Your Time

A large part of success is surrounding yourself with the right kind of people. It is nearly impossible to be successful in life if you are burdened by a difficult spouse or other exhausting relationships. If the people in your life create drama and problems, they are draining your emotional energy. And then you are left with little energy to pursue your own goals.

While it may sound callous, if you want to be successful, you need to eliminate those kinds of people from your daily life. Admittedly, that isn’t easy. But realize that you were put on this earth because God has a very specific purpose for your life. You’ve been blessed with certain skills and talents which you are supposed to share with the world. If you are burdened by difficult relationships, you will not be able to achieve your life purpose.

So, to be successful, you need an environment in which you are surrounded by peaceful, respectful, kind and positive people. That isn’t much to ask for from the people closest to you. And if folks can’t meet those very basic expectations, then you need to exclude them from your life.

Create a Serene Home Environment

Your physical environment is just as important for your success as the quality of your relationships. Your home should be the place where you can truly relax. It should be a refuge from the aggravations of the world.

As a result, your house can’t be a mess. Your home needs to be a place that is orderly. Why? Because you can’t think clearly in the midst of clutter. And you certainly can’t relax in a messy house.

One of the primary reasons that our homes get messy is that we have too much stuff. And we are fearful of giving our stuff away. “What if I need that toaster oven one day next year?” I can assure you that you won’t. Get in the habit of getting rid of stuff. I promise you that your home will look a thousand times better. It will be less cluttered and you’ll be able to breathe. (If you are looking for a great book about downsizing your belongings, I recommend “Goodbye Things: The New Japanese Minimalism,” by Fumio Sasaki.)

Once you have a tidy, uncluttered home, you can attack any goal. That is because you’ll have a place where you can breathe, think and create.

Reduce Your Distractions to Create the Right Environment for Success

Admittedly, on occasion, it is nice to watch a movie or television show as a way to relax. Our problems occur when we use the television or the Internet to excess, as a way to avoid life. When we spend hours looking at screens, we waste valuable time that we could use to accomplish our goals.

There are only two ways to control your distractions. First, you can eliminate them, which is hard to do. In today’s world, living without a television or computer is difficult! We use the Internet for so many things, from work to online shopping. As a result, it is more realistic to control your distractions by reducing your screen time.

For instance, I don’t watch much television. But during the pandemic, our family found it fun to watch one 30-minute show each night. It was a nice way to have a half-hour break from the reality of life. That left the rest of the evening for all of us to focus on other pursuits.

Now, reducing our Internet surfing is harder. That takes self-control. The pull toward the computer screen is strong! I’ve found that the best way to stop wasting time on the computer and phone is to have something readily productive to do on either one. For instance, I try to use my computer for one thing only – work. And I try to use my phone to either field text messages or emails. And if I truly need a break, I have an e-book readily available on my phone so that I am less likely to surf the Internet.

The fewer distractions you have, the more time you will have to accomplish your goals. And those are the building blocks for success – time and hard work!

Success doesn’t occur as a result of wishful thinking. Rather, we need to create the right environment for success to occur. When we surround ourselves with the right people and a serene, calm home environment, we set ourselves up for success. Add some hard work to the mix, and you can achieve any goal that you set your mind to! (To read about tips to successfully work from home, click here.)