MONTH 1 DAY 17: HABITS: WHY YOUR ENVIRONMENT MATTERS

When it comes to building good habits, your environment plays a huge role. It can either push you toward success or pull you away from your goals. The good news? By making small changes to your surroundings, you can set yourself up for success and make it easier to stick to the habits you want to develop.

So, what’s one thing you can do to make your environment more supportive of your habits? Design it for success.

What Does It Mean to Design Your Environment?

Designing your environment means intentionally arranging your physical and digital spaces to encourage positive habits and discourage bad ones. It’s about making good choices easier and bad choices harder.

For example:

• If you want to eat healthier, keep fruits and vegetables at eye level in the fridge.

• If you want to exercise more, place your workout clothes and shoes where you can see them.

• If you want to read more, keep a book on your nightstand or in your bag.

By making small adjustments, you can remove obstacles and create reminders that keep you on track.

How to Design Your Environment for Your Habits

Here are practical steps to get started:

1. Identify Your Goal: Think about the habit you want to build. Is it exercising regularly, eating healthier, reading more, or something else?

2. Spot the Triggers: Identify the moments or objects in your environment that prompt unwanted behaviors. Replace them with triggers for your desired habit.

   • Example: Swap the bowl of candy on the table for a bowl of fruit.

3. Make It Visible: Place reminders of your habit in plain sight. The easier it is to see, the more likely you are to act on it.

   • Example: Stick a sticky note with your daily goal on your mirror or desk.

4. Remove Temptations: Reduce distractions or temptations that pull you away from your habits.

   • Example: Keep your phone in another room during focused work time.

5. Simplify the Process: Make your habit as easy as possible to start.

   • Example: Lay out your gym clothes the night before to eliminate decision fatigue in the morning.

6. Personalize It: Tailor your environment to what motivates you. Add inspiring quotes, calming music, or even vision boards that align with your goals.

Real-Life Examples

• Building a Workout Routine: Store your yoga mat or dumbbells in a place where you’ll see them every day. Turn your living room into a mini workout space if needed.

• Improving Sleep: Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and free of screens to signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down.

• Boosting Productivity: Clear your desk of clutter and only keep tools related to your task. Block distracting websites on your computer.

Why This Works

When your environment supports your goals, you don’t have to rely solely on willpower or motivation. It becomes easier to stay consistent because your surroundings nudge you in the right direction.

Bonus: Reward Yourself

As you design your environment and see progress, reward yourself for staying on track. Positive reinforcement helps solidify your habits and makes the process enjoyable.

Final Thoughts

Your environment is like the foundation of a house, it determines how stable and sturdy everything else will be. By intentionally designing your space to support your habits, you set yourself up for long-term success.

So, look around. What’s one small change you can make today to create a more supportive environment for your habits? Start small, stay consistent, and watch how these changes help you build the life you want!