Are you thriving, or just surviving? For many high-achieving women, the environment we inhabit — both physically and mentally — can be the invisible force that either propels us forward or holds us back.
Creating an environment for success is about a conscious and continuous process of aligning your world with your aspirations. By focusing on three key areas, you can clear the path for your next big breakthrough.
1. IDENTIFY YOUR ENERGY DRAINS
Your energy is your most valuable currency. The first step is to pinpoint what’s depleting it. By guarding and keeping a close account of your energy, you can start to reclaim it.
Once you learn to ‘audit’ your energy, you will find more untapped energy for the things you truly want to do. Here are some helpful tips:
- Track your time for a week: Note which activities leave you feeling energized and which leave you drained.
- Set boundaries: Politely decline requests that don’t align with your priorities.
- Unsubscribe and unfollow: Clear your digital space of anything that triggers negativity or comparison.
2. DECLUTTER YOUR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL SPACES
What’s in your space that no longer serves you? This question applies to both your physical environment (home and office) and your mental landscape.
As author Eleanor Brownn has said, “Clutter is not just physical stuff. It’s old ideas, toxic relationships and bad habits.” Here are some ways to get it under control:
- Start small: Choose one area and clear out anything you don’t use, need or love.
- Digitize what you can: Scan and store important documents.
- Reflect on your goals: If your commitments are no longer aligned with your vision, it’s time to let them go.
3. CREATE A PLAN FOR INTENTIONAL ACTION
Once you’ve identified the energy drains and clutter, it’s time to create a concrete plan to address them. This is where intention meets action.
- Schedule “clearing” time: Block out space in your calendar each week to tackle your decluttering to-do list.
- Create a “not-to-do” list: Write down the things you will consciously stop doing.
- Design your ideal environment: Make a list of what you want to bring into your space and schedule those activities or create spaces that serve you.
By taking these small, intentional steps, you can transform your environment from a source of stress into a powerful catalyst for your personal and professional growth. It’s time to stop letting your surroundings dictate your success and start intentionally designing an environment that nurtures your goals.