Your guide to creating the environment that helps you succeed

Last week found me snowboarding in Revelstoke, BC.

Unlike the locals, who weren’t too pleased with the season's snow, I was thrilled. Coming from Quebec, where artificial snow is the norm, Revelstoke's natural snow seemed like a luxury. I even experienced a powder day while there, which turned out to be the busiest day of the season.

So, why am I telling you this?

Because it made me realize something important: our environment is what we make of it.

While I was having the time of my life, others were disappointed by the same conditions.

This difference in perspective made all the difference in my experience.

And that brings us to today’s topic: creating a productive environment.

Just like my perspective transformed my snowboarding experience, the way we set up our surroundings can transform our ability to succeed.

We’ll talk about:

• getting clear on our goals,

• surrounding ourselves with the right people,

• setting boundaries,

• optimizing our online spaces, and

• creating a focused environment that helps us thrive.

Let’s hit the slopes! 🏂

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Before we begin: Here’s what you might have missed last week

• In issue #29 of The Productivist, I shared 59 lessons on productivity.

• You learnt that focus is a trained skill.

• You discovered strategies to improve your energy management, calendar usage, delegation and much more!

Don’t miss it again. Click here to access the full issue.

Big idea #1: Your environment is your #1 predictor of success.

Do you think you have a motivation problem?

If we have 10 people who want to start eating healthy, I can predict with 95% certainty who exactly among them will succeed - by looking at one factor.

╳ It is not their motivation.

╳ It is not their discipline.

╳ It is not time and money available to them.

Don’t get me wrong, they all matter.

But not as much as the most impactful factor...

Are people closest to them also going to eat a healthy diet?

If the answer is YES, then there is a 95% chance they will succeed in this new habit.

If the answer is NO, I am 95% certain, they will fail.

Our environment has the biggest influence on us.

If you are:

• surrounded by people who encourage personal growth,

• able to access the right information and mentors, and

• in a physical environment promoting focus,

you are 99% guaranteed to level up in all areas of your life.

If you are not in such an environment, even though you have the motivation to grow and learn, it becomes an uphill battle.

Do not blame anyone.

Creating your environment is up to you.

1. Find the right community. (Big Idea #2)

2. Get on the right information diet. (Big Idea #3)

3. Create a productive environment. (Big Idea #4)

Take control of your environment and set yourself up for success.

Big idea #2: Find the right community.

If your friend starts a bad habit, you are 45% more likely to develop the same habit in the next few years. It doesn’t stop there. A ripple effect impacts many more people your friend doesn’t even know.

Our community shapes our thinking, choices, and habits.

Wait! Don't dump your friends just yet.😅 Let’s try something else first.

🖊️ Grab a pen and paper, and let’s workshop this step-by-step:

1. Get clear on your goals.

What kind of person do you want to be in 3 years?
(Do not underestimate how much you can achieve in 3 years.)

What habits and choices will take you there?

2. Look around.

Do you know anyone who already achieved it or who’s on the same trajectory and has the same goal as you?

How can you spend more time with them?

3. Look around, again.

How do your closest people distract you from making progress toward a desired outcome?

Do you need to remove yourself from that negative environment entirely or would setting boundaries be enough?

E.g. You want to experience peak productivity, so you want to prioritize your brain health and your sleep, but your social group goes out every weekend.

Open communication + boundaries are a healthy way to ensure everyone is happy with the outcome.

What I mean is - you don’t have to stop hanging out with them, but you can:

• propose day-time activities,

• host early dinner parties instead, or

• join them in the evenings, but leave early.

Don’t try to change them.

The best way to influence your circle positively is to lead by example.

When you start to get more energetic, more positive, and fitter - they’ll notice it and ask you “What’s your secret?”

Only if they ask, then you can share your “crazy new thing”, which is a regular quality sleep. 🤫😅 

Often, removing yourself from the negative environment is the only way, and I want you to feel empowered to do so.

Remember, you can build positive, supportive relationships rather than accepting negative, harmful influences.

Big idea #3: Get on the right information diet.

The information you consume influences your thinking.

In this day and age, the quote should go:

“Show me your recommended content and targeted ads, and I'll show you your future.” 🥲

Step 1: Audit your information sources.

Begin by identifying your primary sources of information across various mediums:

• Audio content: Podcasts and music that fill your ears.

• Video content: Platforms like YouTube and Netflix that capture your eyes.

• Reading content: The news and blogs you scroll through.

• Social Media content: The individuals and topics you follow.

Step 2: Reflect on their message.

Examine these sources critically:

• Entertainment channels like MrBeast: They trade your time for a quick dopamine hit, captivating your attention but often leaving you craving more.

• News outlets like CNN: Designed to draw you in with negativity or sensationalism, as this drives their viewership and ad revenue.

• Music by artists like System of a Down: The aggressive tones and lyrics of heavy metal can negatively influence your mood and outlook.

Step 3: Align your consumption with your goals.

If you want to get healthy, you shouldn’t consume junk food.

Similarly, it's time to intentionally shape your information diet:

• For aspiring entrepreneurs: Replace aimless content with focused insights from thought leaders like Alex Hormozi, Steven Bartlett, or Marie Forleo.

• For health and wellness goals: Follow accounts who share healthy recipes and lifestyle tips, while unfollowing those who detract from these aspirations.

By consciously curating the information you consume, shift your focus from what you are “losing” to what you are gaining short and long term.

Big idea #4: Create a productive environment.

Your environment either promotes distraction or focus.

But, just as every plant has its preferred climate for growth, so do we each have our unique environment that fosters our productivity.

The key is not just in finding it but actively creating it.

What kind of environment do you thrive in?

Commonly, things that distract you from your progress:

• Disorganized space: A cluttered desk or digital desktop, 100 open tabs, etc.

• Entertaining platforms and content designed to captivate and consume your attention.

• Constant interruptions: The incessant buzzing of your phone or the ping of notifications.

• Environmental disruptors: Overwhelming noise, insufficient lighting, or working in spaces that blur the lines between work and leisure.

Optimize your environment to aligns with your personal rhythm and needs:

1. Designate a space for focused work.

   Whether it's a specific room or just a desk, let it be known that when you're there, you're in the zone.

2. Keep it organized and clean.

   Regularly declutter your physical and digital workspaces.

3. Remove distractions.

   Identify what commonly pulls your attention away and systematically reduce these interruptions. Turn off unnecessary notifications, and consider tools or apps that block distracting websites during work hours.

4. Be intentional with your environmental triggers.

   Use cues to signal your brain that it’s time to focus. This could be lighting a specific scented candle, playing a binaural beats (such as brain.fm), or even just changing into your work clothes.

5. Make your workspace the coolest part of your house or office.

   If the coolest place in your house is a living room with a TV and a couch, no wonder you don’t feel as successful as you could be.

Reflect on your unique environment

Understanding and creating your optimal environment requires reflection and experimentation.

What works for one person may not work for another.

Perhaps you thrive in minimalist spaces, or maybe surrounded by inspiring quotes and visuals.

Do you work best in complete silence, or does a certain level of background noise help you concentrate?

Experiment with different settings, times of day, and routines to discover what truly makes you more productive.

Remember, the goal is not to create a universally perfect space but one that is perfectly suited to you.

TL;DR

1. You are a byproduct of the environment you are in.

2. The people close to you influence your habits.

3. The information you consume influences your thoughts.

4. Your physical and digital environment either promotes distraction or focus.

5. You can make success inevitable by intentionally designing your environment:

   • Get clear on where you want to be in life.
   • Get into the right circle of people who are already there or who are on the same path.
   • Set boundaries with those who distract you from your goals.
   • Optimize your information diet to influence you in the desired direction.
   • Build a distraction-free focused environment perfectly designed for you to thrive in.

Tiny habit: Mise en place!

Raise your focus and productivity by investing a few minutes into mise en place.

Prepare for your deep work session beforehand, not after it starts.

• Plug in your laptop.

• Fill up a water bottle.

• Leave your phone in another room.

The Productivist Question

When we think about the people who influence us, it's easy to forget we're also influencing others.

Your actions and words can uplift and inspire the people around you.

It's important to not only surround yourself with positive influences but to also be one.

The question for today is:

• Am I influencing others in a positive way?

Do not underestimate the impact you have on other people’s lives, and make sure it is a positive one.

Have a beautiful week ahead,

Valeriya

PS: Would love to hear your biggest takeaway today. Please reply to this email or DM me on LinkedIn with your thoughts!