Environment: Make Space for Success
C.H.E.C.K Ya Self 4/6
HIGHLIGHT
The best story I could probably tell about the power of environment is how my first son was conceived—but that’s definitely TMI for a newsletter. So let me share another story instead.
A few years ago, I was in South Africa staying at a guest house. One morning, I sat at the kitchen table, completely stunned by a conversation I had with a young woman hired to clean the house.
It wasn’t just the fact that she was saving every cent she earned that shocked me—it was why.
Winter was approaching, and she said she needed money to move her uncle to a warmer part of the country. That might sound noble, until she explained that her uncle had been dead and buried for years. Her grandmother had dreamed that he was cold, and the girl believed it was her responsibility to dig up his body and move him.
That might sound unbelievable, but to her, it made perfect sense—because of the environment she was raised in.
And that moment reminded me of one of my favourite quotes from James Clear:
"Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behaviour."
We are all products of our environments. From the way we think to the beliefs we carry, so much of who we are and how we show up is tied to the spaces we live in and the systems we operate within.
Sometimes our environment teaches us to believe in impossible dreams. Other times, it convinces us that success isn’t for people like us.
Most people underestimate how much their environment is shaping them. But here’s the truth:
Even a small change in your physical surroundings can create a big shift in your life.
In this edition, we’re focusing on your physical environment—the space you live, work, and create in. Next time, we’ll dive into the second half of this equation: your people environment—your community.
INSIGHT
Environment doesn’t just influence your habits—it reinforces them.
If you’re trying to become a better version of yourself, but your environment is set up to support your worst habits, you’re always going to feel like you're swimming upstream.
To create real and lasting change, you must be intentional about the space where that change needs to happen. That process includes three steps:
1. Design – Make Space for Success
Start by asking:
What do I want to achieve in this space?
What tools or resources do I need readily available to support that goal?
What would make this space feel inspiring and easy to engage with?
Example:
If you want to improve your morning routine, create a space that supports it—set out your clothes, prepare your journal or Bible, and leave your phone in another room. One of the most impactful gifts I ever received was a pill organizer. Prior to this I often forgot to take my medicine- not anymore. Simply adding this small tool to my space increased my follow through.
Design your space to invite your desired behavior.
2. Declutter – Remove What Slows You Down
We often think change is about adding more, but real progress usually starts with removal.
Take a hard look at what’s in your space. If it doesn’t serve your vision, it’s standing in your way. Its better to remove the temptation completely that try to fight with it.
Example:
I am easily distracted by social media- so I paid for an app that blocks my access to it when I need to focus my attention. Furthermore, I turned off all notifications on my phone- this helps me to control when I check as oppose to being interrupted.
3. Defend – Protect Your Progress
Once you’ve designed and decluttered your environment, you have to guard it. A powerful environment isn’t something you set once—it’s something you maintain consistently.
Set boundaries. Establish rhythms. Communicate clearly with the people around you about how your space supports your goals.
Example:
If you work from home, create a designated workspace. Let others know when you're in “focus mode,” and build a routine around that space that keeps it sacred.
IGNITE
If you’re ready to make your environment work for you and not against you, here are four practical things you can do this week:
Do a 10-Minute Space Audit
Pick one room—your bedroom, workspace, or kitchen—and ask: Is this space helping or hindering me? Make one change today.Create a ‘Goal Zone’
Dedicate a small area for your most important habit. A reading corner, prayer room, writing station, or workout mat—it doesn’t have to be fancy, just intentional.Eliminate One Environmental Trigger
Find something in your space that encourages a bad habit and remove it. That could be the TV remote on your bed, or constant pop-up notifications.Add One Positive Cue
Want to journal more? Keep the journal visible on your nightstand. Want to drink more water? Place a bottle within reach.