Our environment shapes our behavior in powerful ways. Even small changes in our surroundings can influence our decision making.
Sometimes our environment leads to poor decision making. Like when I subscribed to Netflix earlier this month. I now spend most of my free time watching reruns of The Office, when I used to read a book.
Other times, our environment leads to positive behavior. For example, research has proven that we tend to eat less when we use smaller plates.
The influence of our environment extends well beyond whether or not we have Netflix or the size of our dinnerware. In fact, when we think about how our environment may influence our career, the most important factor to consider is the people and communities that we surround ourselves with.
You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.
Jim Rohn
We are perhaps most significantly influenced by the people and communities with whom we interact on a day to day basis. Because of this, we should be proactive about shaping and curating our environment to attract those people who are most likely to be a positive influence.
It starts by taking a hard look around you. Do you have access to a mentor at work? Do your coworkers challenge and motivate you to be better? Are you involved in an organization that excites you?
If your answer is “no” to these questions, it behooves you to make a change. You are solely responsible for managing your career. Therefore, you need to be intentional about creating an environment that nurtures your growth.
Too often, we get caught up efficiently doing ineffective things, focusing solely on the work that will get us through the day. The idea isn’t to find oneself another environment tomorrow – be it a new job or a new economy – but to be constantly creating the environment and community you want for yourself, no matter what may occur.
Never Eat Alone
I think back to my college years at the University of Michigan as a prime time in my life where my environment stimulated personal growth at an exponential rate. I was never the smartest person in the room. I was constantly challenged and motivated to work harder and ask better questions. Many of my classmates were working on extracurricular projects that inspired me to get involved and help lead an interdisciplinary design team.
Right now, the work you’re doing is less important than the people you’re getting to know. Build an environment today that will support your career tomorrow.
The more new people you know, the more opportunities will come your way and the more help you’ll get at critical junctures in your career.
Never Eat Alone
Someday you may find yourself in a brand new environment because of a move. Or you’ll read this and decide that it’s time to make a change right where you are. At these moments, you need to be proactive; you need to reach out and get involved.
My friend Drew is a natural at creating his environment. We both relocated to the east coast for work this past year. And while I was still unpacking boxes three weeks after the move, Drew had already joined a sports club and volunteered his time for a local charity. He had plugged himself into the community and was seeking out opportunities to build new relationships.
It doesn’t always come easy. I know it certainly doesn’t for me. Sometimes making necessary changes to our environment comes at the cost of being uncomfortable.
But our environment is our biggest asset. Don’t be complacent and accept whatever default position you find yourself in. Put yourself in situations that stimulate personal growth and be proactive about building quality relationships. Make those connections today so that they’ll be there when you need them tomorrow.
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