Did you know you can control the environment?
In my last post about time management I talk about how I organize my day.
But what about when everything is going wrong! It happens. Sometimes life sorta falls apart around you. Sometimes you have to adapt to challenges or just accept that you’re having a down day. Trust me, I have my fair share of bad days.
That being said, it’s important to remember that circumstances only dictate so much. In other words, yes, your circumstances do affect and influence you, but they aren’t the be all, end all. Admitting that you have the power to rise above your environment—even change your environment—is imperative. Jim Kwik calls this choosing to be a thermostat over a thermometer. A thermometer reacts to the environment; a thermostat sets the environment.
It comes down to this question: are you going to be reactive or proactive?
Be a thermostat—control the environment.
In my last post I discuss why I write down three personal and professional goals each day. But I also write down three things I want to feel and be (again, all inspired by Jim Kwik—he’s quite the guy).
Here’s an example:
Three things I want to feel.
The other day (actually a few weeks ago at this point, yikes), I wanted to feel: accomplished, strong, and at peace.
I write this down so I can be proactive in crafting my attitude and mental state. As I go throughout my day, these three words—accomplished, strong, peace—are in the forefront of my mind. I craft my day to generate these feelings. Maybe I workout to feel strong, meditate to feel at peace, and use my time efficiently to feel accomplished.
Writing down my desired feelings gives me a state of mind to work towards. It’s about creating my environment, rather than reacting to it. Being a thermostat versus a thermometer.
Three things I want to be.
This list grounds me. While I love living in the clouds, it’s important to remember who I am and what I want to be. For example, I want to be: sister, daughter, friend, leader, creator, writer, innovator, honest, ethical, caring, etc.
Again, the point is that YOU get to decide who you want to be and the character traits you want to emulate. If you want to be a leader, how might you foster leadership skills? Maybe by reading books, listening to podcasts, and seeking out mentors. Thermostat versus thermometer. Proactive versus reactive.
Each evening, I give my day a score from 0-10 (0 being the worst day, 10 being the best). I also write a few sentences about what worked in my day and what didn’t. Then I make a plan for tomorrow.
Alright folks, that’s all I wanted to say. Have a great day being a thermostat!
With love,
TWBA