When I started getting serious about music, it was a time of a lot of transitions. I was active in piano, ballet, and church activities. I was at the point where it was time to start prioritizing and relinquishing some activities. My friends changed, birthday gifts where now music gear instead of the newest trendy thing. My parents worked to make my environment a supportive.
I flourished, and felt confident enough to take significant steps in music. My environment allowed it, and encourage it. My environment supported my goals. Does your environment support your goals?
Before your answer let's define Environment: It's who you see and what you experience every day. Everything you see, touch, eat, breath, listen too, and everyone you see, is part of your environment. Now take a moment and think, is your environment supportive of your goals? If your answer is sorta or no. Here are some reason why
~ You’re around the wrong People: You are who you're with. People don't have to be outright mean and negative to be unsupportive. Their attitudes, beliefs, and mentality, affect your attitudes, beliefs, and mentality. In Harvard Professor Dr. Nicholas A Christake and Professor James H Fowler’s book, Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks and How They Shape Our Lives, They prove that no one is entirely immune to the people they are with. Take inventory of the people around you even family members.
"Surround yourself only with people who are going to lift you higher"
~ Oprah Winfrey
~ Disorder is a Distraction: There will always be people who need you, laundry to be done, dishes to be cleaned, music to file, emails to answer. When you focus on something messiness will surely follow. This doesn't mean you're doomed to a life of chaos and mess. It means that you have to prioritize your environment and ACCEPT that somethings will not get done right away and some people will need to hear, “sure. Later” and even “No”.
~ Your Environment is Anti-healthy: When you're Mind Body and Soul are energized, you can take on the rigorous work of meeting your goal. You should have a quiet place to meditate for spiritual energy, You should have healthy meals to energize your body for work and for play. If your space is surrounded by unhealthy food do whatever is necessary to combat the temptation to eat it. Of course, exercise (running yoga, walking, crossfit, anything), to relieve stress and build endurance. If your environment is not encouraging exercise, you must change it, to meet your goal.
"If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what then is an empty desk a sign?"
~ Albert Einstein
Don't let your environment stand in your way. It's essential that you love your environment and your environment loves you.
If your serious about your environment join my 12 day Happy Environment Challenge on FB starting Feb 25th
Your Happy Musician