What kind of environment is the right environment for your
business success? Are you someone who likes to work in a
relaxed, calm, quiet environment, or someone who likes a
more interactive, invigorating, exciting environment?
There is probably a range of environments you can put up
with and get by in. But, have you ever thought about what
kind of environment is optimal if you want to create
success? Most of us haven't thought about how our
environment affects our business success. Instead, we've
learned to adapt to less-than-favorable conditions, blaming
our sagging energy, increased body aches, and decreased
productivity on other factors.
The Effects of a Negative Environment
Psychologists and industrial engineers have long reported
that a negative work environment adversely affects our
health, sleep habits, interactions with people, sex life,
tolerance levels, ability to cope, and ability to process
new information.
The longer we are exposed to a negative environment, the
more our productivity and success decrease. It also takes
its toll on our psychological, emotional, and physiological
well-being.
The problem is that researchers have not been able to come
up with a single work environment that is best for
everyone. Human beings are such a complex, multifaceted
group. It is impossible to take into account everyone's
changing needs to create a work environment that is ideal
for every individual.
Whether you work from the comfort of your home as a solo
preneur or go to work in an office building, it's up to you
to create the perfect environment for your business
success. If not, you will find yourself gulping for air.
Are You Gulping For Air?
I have a small pond in my back yard. It's a modest pond,
home to five gold fish, two shubunkins, and two koi, Jack
and Casper. It's a peaceful little pond where birds and
deer come to drink and neighborhood cats come with high
hopes. There are benches nearby for quiet reflection, and
the beauty of nature surrounds.
Not too long ago, the pond wasn't so peaceful. We were in
the middle of a heat wave when I went out to feed my fish.
Much to my surprise and alarm, all the fish were at the
surface of the pond bunched together and gulping for air. I
could see they were in distress, though I didn't know why.
Until . . . I dipped my hand into the pond and felt the
temperature of the water. It was very warm.
I immediately flew into action and began pumping warm water
out of the top of the pond while simultaneously adding cold
water to it. Within a couple of hours the water temperature
had stabilized and my fish were back to swimming tranquilly
around the pond.
When you are working in an environment that is detrimental
to you, you soon end up like my fish on that hot day. You
end up gulping for air. Gulping for air leaves us
exhausted, depleted, and in desperate need of relief. We've
all had times when we have felt as if we were just barely
making it, scarcely holding it all together, and stressed
beyond our limit.
Are you gulping for air? Here are some ways to know.
Top 10 Ways to Tell If You Are Gulping For Air
1. You're too busy for your family and friends.
2. You do a lot of explaining about why you are so busy.
3. You find yourself just trying to keep your head above
water.
4. You're feeling unheard, misunderstood, and devalued.
5. You're feeling overwhelmed.
6. You're caught up in the drama of your business.
7. You're still at work in your head after you've
physically left your office.
8. You're making do by making excuses.
9. You're not sleeping, exercising, or eating to your
benefit.
10. You're emotionally maxed out.
What do you do if you find yourself gulping for air?
3 Steps to Creating Your Ideal Environment
1. The first thing to do is acknowledge where you are.
2. The second is to create some space to move around.
Whether that be actual physical space (like taking a walk)
or psychological and emotional space (such as meditating,
journaling, or reading a book for pleasure), it's important
to create space.
3. Next, go within and ask, "What environment is in my
highest good and greatest well-being right now?" This one
question will open up even more space for you to begin
creating the perfect environment for your personality,
needs and goals.
You will know what that right environment is because in it
you will feel expansive, open, allowing, and inviting. You
will feel as if you have plenty of room to explore,
maneuver, and swim around. You will have time for family,
friends, and for yourself. You will thrive, flourish, and
prosper.
Why merely put up with or get by in your environment?
Instead, stop gulping air and focus on creating just the
right environment for your business success.
----------------------------------------------------
Susan L Reid, DMA, Small Business Start Up Coach &
Consultant has her first book coming out in October:
Discovering Your Inner Samurai: The Entrepreneurial Woman's
Journey to Business Success. She provides value,
inspiration, and direction for entrepreneurial women
starting up and launching small businesses. For your free
e-Zine full of ideas and start up tips, visit
http://www.Alkamae.com .
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