I’ve been reading one of John C. Maxwell’s books, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth. It has probably been by far one of my favorite ‘self help’ reads. I’ll be pulling more of my upcoming Boss Babes ‘Tip of the Day’s from this book. Today we cover THE LAW OF ENVIRONMENT. I’ll pull some stuff straight from the book as well as add my own commentary/words of advice.
First order of business:
Growth thrives on conducive surroundings.
If you want to grow in life, changing your environment (where you are) and or surroundings (who you’re around) is crucial.
Now, how do you know it’s time for a change? For me, I’m the type of person who constantly needs to be learning, improving, and reaching/accomplishing/setting new goals. As soon as I feel complacent with my growth and/or opportunities for more than six months, I get antsy and uncomfortable to the point where I begin losing sleep because I have anxiety over it. We are all capable of so much and our potentials are limitless – but this applies only if you’re willing to accept the disciple of learning, growing, and making substantial changes to your life.
So here are pointers of when to know it’s time for a change in environment:
– If you’re always at the ahead of the class, you’re in the wrong class. The best place to learn is when others are ahead of you.
– “Whether you are a success or failure in life has little to do with your circumstances; it has much more to do with your choices”. When you change your attitude/outlook regarding ‘problems’ you have, you open up many more opportunities for growth. What choices are you making to ensure that you’re in a conducive surrounding in which you will thrive and grow?
Now comes the meaty stuff: How to we successfully execute the Law of Environment?
1. CHANGE YOURSELF AND YOUR ENVIRONMENT
It’s one thing to change your environment, but if you are not willing to change yourself, then forget about it – you might as well move back into your safety zone. You must be determined to change yourself in your new environment.
- Change yourself but not your environment – growth will be slow and difficult
- Change your environment but not yourself – growth will be slow and less difficult
- Change your environment and yourself – growth will be faster and more successful
How do you know if you’re in an environment set for growth? Answer the following:
- Others are ahead of me
- I am continuously challenged
- My focus is forward
- My atmosphere is affirming
- I am often out of my comfort zone
- I wake up excited
- Failure is not my enemy
- Others are also growing
- People desire change
- Growth is modeled and expected
2. CHANGE WHO YOU SPEND YOUR TIME WITH
THIS ONE IS SO CRUCIAL and I’ve touched upon this is in previous posts and on my stories.
Whom you habitually associate with is called your “reference group”. These folks determine 95% of your success or failure in life. Jim Rohn asserted that we become the combined average of the five people we hang around the most, aka our 5 best friends. The ones whom you keep closest to you reflect your quality of health, attitude, and income. You begin to eat what they eat, talk how they talk, read what they read, think like they think (so important), watch what they watch, and dress like they dress.
If you’re having a hard time figuring out who to keep close to you.. your goal should be surrounding yourself around people:
- With integrity**
- Who are positive
- Who are ahead of you professionally
- Who lift you up
- Who take the high road**
- Who don’t negatively scheme
- Who love to grow and are growing
Mentally ask yourself the question, “What have I learned from you since we met?” about each of your friends. Are they positive learning experiences? Are things beneficial to your growth? Or are they just materialistic add-ons or what I like to refer to as “arbitrary decoration” (aka fun outings, party friends, short term satisfactions, surface relationships).
3. CHALLENGE YOURSELF IN YOUR NEW ENVIRONMENT
One great way to challenge yourself is to make your goals public. Now, this doesn’t mean flaunt everything you have and or be obnoxious in your publicity. This means letting those around you (those who matter most) know so that you have a sense of accountability. I have found that if I told others what I intended to do, I worked harder, and I worked in such a way that I wouldn’t be ashamed of my efforts even if everyone was watching them.
4. MOVE FORWARD DESPITE CRITICISM
Growth always comes from taking action, and taking action always brings criticism. MOVE FORWARD ANYWAY. To reach your potential, you must not only do what others believe you cannot do, but what even you believe you cannot do. Most people underestimate themselves. They shoot for what they know they can reach. Instead they should reach for what’s beyond their grasp. If you don’t try to create the future you want, you must endure the future you get.
“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Someone’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality. Their words may hurt but don’t let their words question your decisions.
When you take charge of your life, there is no longer need to ask permission of other people or society at large.
When you ask permission you give someone veto power over your life. Before making a MAJOR change, seek WISE counsel if you can, but make your own decisions. You are ultimately accountable for the choices you make in your life.
All of these have everything to do with your environment and surroundings. If you think you’ve capped out at your learning/growth, it might be time to make some environmental changes. Changes don’t simply fall in your lap or magically adapt to your life. 99% of the time, you need to be the proactive one. Make the proper steps and the rest will eventually begin to fall into place. Thrive in the life you’re given. You only have one so take full advantage of it – you are the only one who holds that power.