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One of the best ways of changing yourself is by changing your behaviors. You are simply a sum of all the existing behaviors that you have, and whenever you are able to change them, you will be able to change yourself. Changing your behaviors can look like a complex task, but it should not be. There are a lot of suggestions and ways that are said to be effective to help you change. One of the most effective way of making the change very easy is by changing your environment.
Our environment has a very significant impact in our mood, our states and our behaviors. When we see a light on our smartphones, we are immediately tempted to check what that notification is about. When we sit down on our sofa, we are tempted to get the remote controller and turn on the TV to watch the latest episode of our TV show.
You can change your environment and use it as a reminder or a trigger for your new behavior that you are trying to form.
Examples
If you want to stop wasting your time browsing all day long aimlessly on the internet, disconnect from the internet during the time that you are supposed to work. If your work is closely related with the internet such that you cannot work without having an internet connection, then try to at least minimize the online distractions by closing all the tabs and applications that are not directly related to your work.
If you want to improve your focus, turn off your smartphone notifications, or simply turn your smartphone in the airplane mode. This way you can have more time to focus on your work and accomplish far more than by checking the latest notifications on a continuous basis.
If you want to read more, carry a book in your bag. Keep a book next to your desk. Whenever you see the books that are with you, or next to you, you are more likely to read.
If you want to drink more water, always keep a glass of water in your table. This way it is a lot easier for you to drink water, rather than having to sit up and fill the glass of water.
If you want to start journaling, put a notebook and a pencil in your desk, which will remind you for the new behavior.
If you want to start exercising, put your trainers next to your bed.
These are only a few examples of a lot of implications that our environment has in ourselves, whether we are aware about them or not. If we do not change our environment, and let it as it is, the chances are that it will control us, rather than using it for our benefit.
