Is Your Environment Supporting Your Journey to Success?

Copyright (c) 2009 Alice Chan

Anyone who is a parent or had parents can relate to the fact that you have to be careful about what you expose your child to. Children are very impressionable and they are like sponges soaking up everything around them.

That's why you often hear that you have to be choosey about the type of kids your child hangs out with. You don't want anyone who's a "bad influence." Even though my daughter is only 3, I've chosen not to be around certain people because they allowed their child to watch TV/movies during meal times - EVERY TIME.

I didn't want my daughter to expect that that's what she would be allowed to do because she did fine without it. We refrain from allowing our children to watch programs that have violence or could potentially expose them to poor behaviors. That's why there's the rating system. And we try our best to reduce the amount of profanity that may roll off our tongues - this becomes more of a priority when you start hearing you child repeat what you say.

These same rules apply whether we're 3, 30 or 60 because human beings are impressionable and our environments are very telling of who we are.

Webster's Dictionary defines environment as "surrounding conditions, influences, or forces, by which living forms are influenced and modified in their growth and development."

Random House Dictionary defines environment as "the social and cultural forces that shape the life of a person or a population".

Who we are around and what we choose to surround ourselves with make or break our success. Negative environments in your life can cost you - energy, financial freedom, and your ability to see the possibilities in life. There are a lot of costs when you allow yourself to stay in a negative environment.

Let's talk about 3 types of environments that can affect us.

1. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - where you live and work.

Since we're all Home Stagers, we know how important it is to create a pleasing environment to show buyers. Sometimes we're so good at doing things for others we forget how important it is for us to do the same for ourselves.

How is your own home environment? Is it clutter free, organized and as beautiful as your budget allows?

How about your work environment? For most of you, you probably work and live in the same space, but if you have a home office, is it a sane place to retreat to or does it make you cringe when you walk through the door? What about your storage or warehouse? Is it easy to find what you're looking for or do you feel like you've stepped into hell?

I've always been one of those people who need to have an organized space to be productive. The idea of sifting through sales racks, combing through the piles of madness to get to that one great deal is anything but appealing.

When I was working in a law firm, no matter how busy it got, part way through the project, I had to stop everything I was doing, organize my desk and clear away files, papers, etc. that was no longer needed, then proceed with my work. The same principle applied to my Staging Warehouse.

I understand 100% how insane that space can get, so I made it a rule to have a warehouse day on a weekly basis just to keep things organized. I do not like having to search for what I need. The ability to find what you need without a treasure hunt is soothing and empowering. It's a little OCD I know, but it has served me well for nearly four decades.

It's important to create an environment where you want to be and lifts you up emotionally because when you feel good, you are more productive. Just like when it's bright and sunny outside, it makes you feel more energized. When it's cloudy and gray, you feel tired and sluggish. Make sure your environment is an uplifting one.

2. EMOTIONAL ENVIRONMENT - the people you're around all the time.

Are they positive or negative? Are they supportive of your goals and dreams or do they think you're out of your mind?

Have you heard the quote by Jim Rohn that you're the average of the 5 people you're around the most? Think about that for a second. Does that concern you at all?

It started to bother me because what did that tell me about my path to success? Not to say you don't love your friends and family, but are they helping to push you to be more than you are? In order to keep growing, we need to surround ourselves with success-oriented, higher level thinkers.

One of my mentors had commented on how the other members of her mastermind group pushed her to play bigger. Knowing that by the next time they met, someone would have written a book or hit high 6 or 7 figure sales goals or created an amazing program was enough motivation for her not to be the underperformer.

Did you know that less than 6% of the population makes more than $100,000 a year? What that translates to is if you want to be in the 6%, you need to be around people who think bigger than you.

Another one of my mentors who has respectfully built a multi-million dollar business, started working with a multi-million/billion dollar business coach who only works with 7, 8 & 9 figure earners to bring them to an even higher level in their business. Being around this billionaire has opened up her awareness to a whole new level and possibilities that she could never have been exposed to on her own, nor I, if I was not affiliated in some way.

You don't know what you don't know. I'm working with 7 figure coaches to bring me up to that level and beyond and I would love to help many of you move well into the 6 figure and beyond level in your Staging careers as well. It is possible because I've done it.

Learn to be more discriminating about your time. On a professional level, join a mastermind to keep you on track and reserve private time for your closest friends and family.

3. INTELLECTUAL ENVIRONMENT - this is often referred to as your mindset.

What you spend your time engaged in can determine your results. The thoughts and beliefs that you focus on can make or break you success. Like the little engine that could, if you think you can, you can, if you think you can't, you can't. It's really that simple.

What kind of food are you feeding your mind? As I mentioned before, I've taken steps to eliminate as much outside media influence as I can, specifically from the news and newspaper. I'm still in touch with what's happening because every time I log onto the internet, my Yahoo home page proudly displays the current events.

I rarely listen to the radio. I've turned my car into a mobile library which really puts me my thoughts in proper perspective. What you focus on, you manifest. I'm looking forward to a prosperous 2009! I'd love to have you join me.

Remember, success is a journey, not a destination, let's travel together.