Photo by @wonderlane
In the first few chapters, we will try to create an exhaustive list of the processes that are at play to keep you from altering your life in the way you choose.
The environment shapes people’s actions - B.F.Skinner
Every “thing” around you has an effect on you. Our senses are constantly scanning our environment and your mind is maintaining a state of awareness it finds appropriate. Organised, clean spaces with a lot of light can help us relax as the mind can’t perceive of any danger lurking around the corner. Chaotic, unfamiliar spaces, on the other hand, forces the body into a higher level of alertness.
Emotions
The amount of sunlight you see everyday can predict the likelihood of depression. A peppy song can lift your spirits while a blues number can make you sombre. A small room can make us feel claustrophobic, a large room on the other hand can make you feel like a king. 5 star hotels have large well organised rooms that make people feel like royalty allowing them to fully relax. Low light conditions increase frustration if you are trying to focus but are great if you want to sleep. Noise generally increases frustration, although white noise has been known to encourage focus.
Thoughts and Ideas
The presence of a candy jar in vicinity can increase the chances of you putting on weight by giving you ideas of instant gratification. Having cash in your wallet, increases the chances you would want to spend it. From a psychological point of view, cash in the wallet could make you more generous with time and money. Guitar in the middle of the room, properly tuned, increases the chances of you picking it up and practising. A well designed utility, like a laptop or even cutlery can give you ideas about good design. A blank notebook with a pen could inspire you to write.
The mood of the creator
Using good quality well designed objects makes life easier. They also instil a design mentality and makes us cognisant of the difference between a well designed article and an average or sub-par article. The care taken while creating an item percolates into the environment it is in. This is very subtle but affects us at an emotional and intellectual level.
Filtering
Our body and mind are also constantly filtering out certain sensations. This is why people are able to stay in places with high sensory input. For example in a fish-market, after a while, the smell is filtered out or we get accustomed to it.
Filtration maybe automatic but requires energy.
This is why, when we return home after a day in a noisy place we feel more tired than normal, even if we didn’t do much work there.
Its also important to understand that not all aspects of the sensory input are filtered out. Your body may filter out things you didn’t want it to. This happens more often in an environment where the body is already filtering out a large volume of sensations, e.g. If its very noisy, you may not see the lady right in front of you as you try to navigate across the room.
Filtering depends a lot on what you are “interested” in or “what you want to find”.
Seek and you shall find, but you may not be able to see the contrary as it passes by in plain sight.
Subtle
The important thing to note here, is that the effect of our environment can be both gross and subtle but ignoring it is a mistake. These subtle effects tend to build up and if not kept in check can drain our energy. This could lead to a lack of energy for more important decisions and actions.
Energy Levels
Unfortunately, much of the study of the effect of environment on us is anecdotal and not very scientific. You need to be wary of superstitious beliefs which will waste your time without actually benefiting you. Focus on things affecting your energy levels.
As we will see in the next chapter, Your Energy Level through the day is paramount when you need to change your life in any way.
Default or habitual behaviour doesn’t require the use of the frontal lobe of your brain as the environment is “well known” and the actions are also “well known”. If you want to change the default, though, you need to engage the frontal lobe and hence need more energy.
Your current energy level is maintaining your status quo by limiting your choices.