Creating Your Environment.

“Man shapes himself through decisions that shape his environment.” - Rene Dubos

Dear Investors and Friends,

Welcome to this week’s SundayReads.

It is good to be back home and in with the regular routine. ?While I was in the US my time after working was ?spent walking and doing other outdoor activities. The extra physical activity yielded clear benefits in both my mental and physical health. I notice that every-time I travel my physical activities go up. Unfortunately, I am rarely able to maintain this type of activity schedule when I’m back at home. This is the case even though I have everything I need around my home to be just as active there.

Why was it that I thrived in one environment but found it challenging to maintain the same enthusiasm back at home? Everyone out there was busy walking , walking and walking fast! I too just got into that mode. It dawned on me that our surroundings have an incredible influence on our choices and actions.

Let me share an example. One of my close friends had been trying to cut back on drinking, but he faced a significant challenge. His core group of friends gathered at the bar almost every other day, making it hard for him to resist temptation. However, when he consciously started spending more time with friends whose activities didn't revolve around alcohol, he found it easier to limit his drinking. This shift in environment and the company he kept played a vital role in his journey to a healthier lifestyle.

But it's not just about resisting temptations. Recent studies suggest that willpower might be more influenced by our surroundings and our ability to focus our attention. This means we can leverage our environment to empower us in making positive choices.

Take my friend Yogin's decision, for instance. He read a book that inspired him to contemplate his life's trajectory. Being asthmatic, he realized that the polluted city of Mumbai he lived in wasn't conducive to his well-being. With the prospect of a potential centennial life, he took a courageous step and moved to a cleaner and healthier environment in Nashik. That change not only benefited his physical health but also created a ripple effect on his overall well-being.

Our environments can serve as powerful catalysts for positive change. They can reinforce the behaviours we wish to adopt, making them feel like second nature. In Nashik, for instance, the active, outdoor lifestyle isn't just a trend, it's a way of life. People there naturally embrace a more active existence because their environment fosters and rewards such behaviour.

So, how can we harness this understanding to our advantage? Well, it begins with conscious choices. Let's think deeply about where we live and who we spend time with, both at work and in our personal lives. Are these environments aligned with our aspirations and values? Do they bring out the best in us and encourage the behaviours we wish to prioritize?

Perhaps it's time for us to follow Yogin's example and make a change. Embracing a new environment that nurtures our desired way of living can be the turning point we need. Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who inspire us to be better versions of ourselves can make a world of difference.

Until the next week and the next SundayRead, do think on designing an environment to align it with who you wish to be.

Warm Regards

Kavita Bothra

#environment #betterworld #temptation #willpower #life #behaviour #health #sundayreads

Helping you think thoughts you may not have thought before.