Your Environment - a 1% Improvement Challenge
Do not underestimate the space where you live and work
Is your environment helping you be organised, and stay focused when you are working on a task?
Is it quiet? Is it organised? Is there enough light? Do you have access to reliable technology?
We don't have control over everything, however there is a lot we can tweak to make our space healthier, more inviting, and more efficient.
Athletes do it, and so should you
Athletes are familiar with the “aggregation of marginal gains” made popular by Sir Dave Brailsford, and they leverage it by making incremental improvements in various aspects of training, nutrition, and mindset. Athletes know that the cumulative effect of tiny changes significantly enhances their overall performance. Several teams have demonstrated this in the past: most famously perhaps, the Team Sky British Cycling Team, and New Zealand’s All Black rugby players.
You should also apply this philosophy in your personal life to achieve substantial growth through consistent, small improvements in various areas. Even 1% improvement on a weekly basis will improve your results drastically over time.
Here’s the trick: start by designing a routine that includes some of these fresh environment tweaks, and build new habits around them.
Let’s have a look at potential incremental improvements you could make to your environment.
Clutter-Free Zone: Clear your desk of unnecessary piles, old to-do lists, random post-its that you never look at, etc. A tidy space fosters a tidy mind.
Adequate Lighting: Ensure your study area is well-lit to reduce eye strain and boost alertness.
Reliable Technology: Check that your devices are in working order and upgrade wherever possible. A glitch-free study session is a more productive one.
Distraction-Free Zone: Identify and eliminate potential distractions. Put your phone away, or on silent, and let your family members know when you need quiet time to focus. Set boundaries with yourself and others and stick to them.
Space for Rest: Keep a dedicated area clear and cosy to take regular breaks and get away from your computer. Breathe deeply, stretch, reset. Smile and remind yourself that you are doing great!
Other ideas that might work for some of you…
Fresh Air and Essential Oils: Open windows, diffuse or spray essential oils, or burn incence for an invigorating or focus-promoting aroma.
Music for Focus: See if background music helps your concentration. Try “study focus” playlists in Spotify or YouTube, per example.
Alignment Practice: Design an alignment practice that will boost your motivation, concentration and focus every time you sit down to work on a specific task or project. This can include breathwork, meditation, affirmations, brain dump, dancing… anything that works for you!
Small, consistent changes become the foundation for an
environment that supports your goals and wellbeing, and help you reach success.
Start fostering habits that cultivate success, one percent at a time.
You've got this!
Remember that an accredited Life Coach is professionally trained to help you go through changes in the easiest, most effective way.
We’re here to help! And I'll leave you with this beautiful song title and line by Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody:
"From Little Things, Big Things Grow"
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About the Author
With over 25 years of experience working in the corporate world, Sophie has first-hand knowledge of the challenges of stress, disengagement, and poor health in the workplace. She now leverages this experience and her coaching skills to offer evidence-based, innovative wellness solutions that boost employee health and wellbeing for overall success.
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