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Your Environment = Your Mindset
Mindset Matters – weekly words of wisdom from Prajesh Chhanabhai
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Ever notice how some places just make you feel off, while others lift you up and give you clarity? It’s not just in your head—your surroundings have a massive impact on your mood, your energy, and, most importantly, your mindset.
We like to think we’re in control of our thoughts and how we feel, but the truth is, your environment is pulling strings in the background. Whether it’s your home office, your social circle, or even the local café where you spend your Saturday mornings, the spaces you occupy can either help you thrive or hold you back.
So, how exactly does your environment affect your mindset? And more importantly, what can you do about it?
This weeks article has been inspired by a conversation that took place during this weeks session of the Grit Coaching Excellence program when Masood Hassan Qureshi asked a really powerful question about the impact of the environment in coaching. This week I hope to, unpack the science behind it all, dive into real-life examples, and give you some practical exercises to help you spot when your environment is messing with your head.
The science bit
Let’s break this down. Your brain is a bit of a sponge, it soaks up information from everything around you, and that influences the way you think. This idea of your brain adapting to your surroundings comes from something called neuroplasticity. Basically, your brain is always rewiring itself based on the input it’s getting from the world. So, if you’re surrounded by negativity, clutter, or chaos, your brain gets wired to think in negative, cluttered, chaotic ways.
On the flip side, when you’re in environments that are positive, inspiring, or even just organised, your brain becomes wired to think more clearly and positively. It’s like giving your brain a fresh start every day Muhammad Farhan Qaxi
The role of cortisol: stress and clutter
Ever wonder why you feel frazzled when you’re in a messy room? That’s cortisol doing its thing. When you’re in a cluttered, chaotic space, your brain interprets it as stress, raising cortisol levels and making it harder to focus. The same goes for being in environments with lots of noise or distractions, it all adds up and puts your brain in a bit of a spin.
Social contagion: The company you keep
Then there’s the people factor. Have you ever spent time with someone who’s constantly complaining and found yourself starting to feel the same way? That’s because our emotions are contagious. This idea is known as social contagion, where the moods and behaviours of the people around us influence our own.
If you’re spending time with people who are stuck in a negative mindset, it’s going to rub off on you, whether you like it or not. But the opposite is also true—if you’re hanging around with people who are positive, driven, and have a growth mindset, you’ll start to pick up on those vibes too.
How to spot when your environment is messing with your head
Sometimes, the environment’s effect on your mindset is pretty obvious—like feeling drained after spending time with a negative colleague. But often, it’s more subtle, sneaking up on you without you realising. Here are five examples of how the environment can influence your mindset:
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The cluttered desk syndrome You’re sitting at your desk, papers everywhere, an overflowing to-do list, and somehow you just can’t think straight. That clutter isn’t just physical—it’s mental. Research shows that a messy workspace can lead to a cluttered mind, making it harder to focus and be productive. A tidy desk, on the other hand, can clear your head and help you get stuff done.
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Your social media feed Scrolling through social media might seem harmless, but it’s an environment too—just a digital one. If your feed is full of negativity, drama, or constant comparisons, it can drag your mindset down. We don’t always think of our digital spaces as part of our environment, but they are, and they have a huge impact on how we feel.
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Toxic workplaces Ever worked in an office where the vibe just felt…off? Maybe people were constantly gossiping, or there was a culture of fear and competition. In environments like this, it’s easy to develop a fixed mindset, where you feel like you have to protect yourself instead of growing and taking risks.
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Living in chaos Your home is your sanctuary, or at least it should be. But if you’re constantly surrounded by clutter or chaos at home, it can bleed into your mindset. Your brain might struggle to relax or focus because it’s processing all the mess around you. A chaotic home environment can lead to feeling disorganised in your thoughts, making it harder to feel in control.
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Friends who drain you We all have that one mate who always seems to bring negativity or drama into every conversation. Spending time with people like that, even if you love them, can sap your energy and shift your mindset to one of frustration or pessimism. The company you keep has a direct influence on your mental state, and it’s important to recognise when certain relationships are doing more harm than good.
These are just a few ways your environment can influence your mindset without you even realising it. The key is learning how to recognise it and make the necessary changes.
Examples of environment shaping mindset
To make it easier to relate, let’s look at some real-world scenarios that show just how powerful your environment can be:
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The home office trap This is now more of a norm than an anomaly for lots of us. You’re working from home in a cluttered, noisy space, and somehow everything feels harder. Your to-do list keeps growing, and your focus is nowhere to be found. But after a bit of a clear-out, rearranging your workspace, and adding a few calming touches, you find yourself being more productive and less stressed. Your brain craves order, and giving it a tidy space helps it relax.
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Fitness goals and friends Imagine you’ve got big fitness goals, but your close mates aren’t exactly on board. They’re always tempting you with takeaways or skipping the gym. Over time, their habits start rubbing off, and you’re struggling to stay on track. But then you join a fitness class, meet some like-minded people, and suddenly, sticking to your goals feels easier. Your new environment is full of people who share your vision, and that’s driving your mindset in the right direction.
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Clutter-free equals calm Take someone who’s just moved into a new house. They start off with everything tidy, organised, and full of potential. They feel motivated, energised, and ready to tackle their goals. But as clutter starts to build up and things get messier, that initial motivation fades. The more cluttered the house gets, the harder it is to focus, and stress levels start creeping up.
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The power of nature Ever noticed how going for a walk in the bush or along the beach can clear your head? That’s because nature has a powerful calming effect on the brain. Spending time in nature reduces anxiety and negative thinking. So, next time you’re feeling stuck, step outside and let your environment do some of the heavy lifting.
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The energy of a positive work culture Picture yourself in a work environment where the boss celebrates wins, encourages growth, and the team supports each other. Compare that to a job where mistakes are highlighted, and there’s constant pressure to perform. In the first scenario, you’re likely to adopt a growth mindset, while the latter environment fosters fear and limits your potential.
Give me some exercises
Now that you know your environment can mess with your mindset, it’s time to learn how to catch it in the act. Here are five exercises you can try to see how your surroundings are influencing your thinking:
Exercise 1: Environment awareness journal For one week, jot down how you’re feeling at different points during the day and what your surroundings are like at the time. Were you in a cluttered room? Around people who were being negative? Was it noisy or quiet? At the end of the week, look for patterns—do certain environments make you feel stressed, distracted, or down? Once you’ve spotted the trends, you can start making changes.
Exercise 2: Social audit Write down the names of the five people you spend the most time with. Next to each name, note how you feel after you’ve been around them. Energised? Drained? Motivated? Once you’ve done this, you might notice that some people aren’t exactly bringing out the best in you. You don’t have to cut people out, but maybe it’s time to set boundaries or spend more time with people who lift you up.
Exercise 3: Digital cleanse Just like your physical environment, your digital one can affect your mindset. Spend an hour cleaning up your social media feeds—unfollow accounts that make you feel negative, compare yourself, or drain your energy. Then, follow accounts that inspire you, educate you, or give you a boost of motivation. Notice how your digital environment shifts how you feel.
Exercise 4: Physical space reset Take a look at the spaces you spend the most time in—your home, your office, even your car. What can you change to make them feel more positive? Maybe it’s as simple as clearing away the clutter or adding a plant to bring in a bit of nature. Small changes in your physical environment can have a big impact on how you feel.
Exercise 5: Environment and emotion check Set a timer on your phone to go off three times a day. When the timer goes off, pause for a minute and check in with how you’re feeling. What’s your emotional state, and what’s your environment like at that moment? Are you tense in a noisy place? Relaxed in a quiet one? Over time, this practice will help you become more aware of how your surroundings are affecting your mood and mindset in real-time.
By understanding how your environment affects your mindset, you’re better equipped to make the changes that’ll boost your mental game. From physical spaces to social dynamics and even your digital world, it’s all part of the puzzle. With these exercises and insights, you can start taking control of your environment—and, by extension, your mindset.
So, take a good look around—what’s your environment doing to your brain today?
Time for me to take stock of my environment…
Till next week stay awesome.
Prajesh
