I was living in an apartment on the 31st floor of a building two year ago.
The building is located in a very nice private community with many facilities conveniently nearby. I can go down stairs and walk 50 steps or so to a Recreation Sport Center.
Therefore, I went to the Rec Center regularly for running. I became a runner.
Then I moved to another city to another apartment, which is not close to any sport center. However, there is nice yoga studio near by. Soon I became a yoga lover and only occasionally go out for a run.
Even though I love the feeling after running and I have tried a few times to discipline myself to keep running regularly, but I have hard time to keep it up.
I find I always have some reasons for not going out for a run: it’s a gloomy day; it’s a little bit cold; it’s a little bit hot; the traffic is busy; the pavement is not even…
You see, the environment has a big impact on my behavior. I choose easy route to do things.
This tendency also reflects in my life for doing other things.
One of the laws for forming a habit by James Clear is to “Make it easy”.
Therefore, if you want to success and grow a good habit, in addition to your motivation, one important thing is to make your action easy; it is to create an environment in favor of your action.
James stated that there are four laws for forming a habit:
- Making it obvious
- Make it attractive
- Make it easy
- Make it satisfying
Among the laws, “Make it easy” by changing your environment is the one easily being overlooked, yet it is a very important factor for your success.
Back to my previous story. I moved to a house after two years living in the apartment near by a yoga studio. The house is very close to a Rec Sports Center. Now, living in this house, I start running again!
I chose the place where I live. I want it be close to a sport center. This close proximity makes my life so easy. I enjoy running and yoga and other facilities and activities offered by the center. I feel good about myself after exercises. I enjoy the energy generated from my regular exercises.
My habit comes back to me.
This experience can be applied and it has spilled over to my life in other areas.
Changing your environment, change your life.
Changing your friends, change your life.
I ask you take an inventory of your life:
- If you want to improve your life for better, 1% better by end of the week, what one change you want to make?
- What environment you need create to make yourself easier to make the change?
Design your environment, you will one step close and easier close to your success.
WE-FIVE 