“We willfully ignore how profoundly the environment influences our behavior. In fact, the environment is a relentless triggering mechanism that, in an instant, can change us from saint to sinner, optimist to pessimist, model citizen to thug—and make us lose sight of who we’re trying to be.”
— "Triggers: Creating Behavior That Lasts—Becoming the Person You Want to Be" by Marshall Goldsmith, the greatest executive coach.
If you’ve ever seriously tried to change a habit, you already know this.
How you set up your surroundings.
Your schedule.
What’s around you.
Who’s around you.
All of it quietly defines how likely you are to succeed.
And yet, we humans love to believe we’re fully in control of our actions, despite all that's around.
There’s no shortage of gurus telling you to just take responsibility, own your actions.
That advice is useful, when you’re actually making conscious choices.
The problem?
Research suggests that up to 88% of what we do is automated, outside of conscious awareness.
So we’re not choosing most of our actions.
So who is?
Your environment.
You ate the cookie because it was right there, not because you made a values-based decision against fruit.
You snapped because “this person always pushes your buttons.”
You felt low all day and never once considered that lack of light, gloomy weather, or poor sleep might be running the show.
We’re remarkably unaware of what actually shifts our moods, energy and behaviors.
This blog isn’t about turning you into some discipline robot, who'll be able to control it all.
That doesn’t work, not even for the best coaches in the world.
We all share humanity.
This blog is about realizing how much power your environment already has, and getting better at 3 actions that help it work for your goals, not against them.
1. ANTICIPATE
What environment do you need to succeed?
Design for it in advance.
Want someone to be more flexible in a negotiation?
Say something kind before you start.
Bring their favorite drink.
Make it warm.
Choose a time when they’re fed and not rushed.
Want to speak well on stage?
Think of what makes YOU the best speaker you can be in advance.
Want to eat well?
What kind of fridge supports that?
What restaurants do you go to?
Do you have snacks for Your Best with you always?
Behavior doesn’t happen in a vacuum.
It happens in context.
2. AVOID
Some environments aren’t worth “powering through.”
Some people you can gradually speak to less.
Some places don’t need to be part of your routine anymore.
Don’t walk past bakeries and cinnamon-roll cafés if you’re trying to eat better.
Walk past a fruit and veg market instead.
The first line of defense for people quitting smoking or drinking isn’t more discipline.
It’s avoiding places and people that trigger old habits.
That’s not weakness.
That’s intelligence.
Save your strength for the battles that matter instead of creating more of them and draining your will.
3. ADJUST
And sometimes… you can’t avoid it.
You have to talk to people you don’t like.
You’re cooking family dinners while changing your diet.
You’re doing work you don’t love.
So what then?
You prepare to protect Your Best.
When I rented a shared place and didn’t vibe with the owner, I didn’t argue about who was right or wrong.
I needed peace of mind to do my work. It was temporary.
So I nodded. Stayed busy. Kept my energy clear.
When my dad says something I fully disagree with, and I know I won’t change it, what’s the point of arguing?
Change the subject. Keep everyone's mind busy.
When you’re around people who don’t support your lifestyle?
Do your thing.
Explain nothing.
And work you don’t like?
Change what you can.
Get through the rest.
Every job has some part you tolerate to access the parts you value.
Trade-offs are everywhere.
Choose the ones you can live with.
Over to you, dear reader,
The environment you create and place yourself in daily - it shapes you more than motivation ever could.
It’s driving up to 88% of your actions, so, are you working with it like a designer?
Or still treating it like some mysterious force that “just happens” to you?
