Change your ‘inputs’ to change your ‘outputs’ - billy Schwer
Environment matters – but not just for the planet!
When it comes to men’s health and wellbeing, I’m a passionate believer that environment matters.
We are all a product of our environment. And yes, that does mean that clean air and healthy living will lead to a better body. It isn’t limited to the physical world we all immediately think about when we hear the word ‘environment’ however.
It’s also – and most importantly – the conversational environment that surrounds us which makes such a massive difference to our health.
Take a moment to consider these questions:
Who are the people you spend most time with?
Jim Rohn famously said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Who are those five for you? And what sort of conversations do you have with them? To get a sense of this, it can be as simple as noticing how they answer a question like “How are you today?”
If they are ‘fine’ or ‘mustn’t grumble’ or give you a list of the things going wrong in their life, that will be shaping your mood for the rest of the day. If, instead, they are ‘fantastic’ or ‘loving life’ or tell you something great that just happened, that good mood will be catching.
What are you saying to yourself?
The conversations you have with others are important. The conversations you have with yourself are crucial.
When I was competing for the World Boxing Title, I was surrounded by coaches and trainers all telling me that I was a winner, that I was going to win, that I had everything I needed to achieve my goal…. I was fuelled by that and in my own mind, I knew I couldn’t fail. I was Billy the Boxer and I was absolutely focused on where I was going – to the top!
When the dream came to an end in the back of an ambulance in 2001, I lost that sense of purpose and my own identity with it. I buried myself in booze, late nights and toxic living in an attempt to drown out the inner voice that was telling me I was no longer a winner. It wasn’t a healthy place to be, physically or mentally.
It was when I discovered a coach and a community that was committed to the same things as I was, that my life got back on track. Does that mean that professional coaching is the only route to a better environment? No - though it can help if you are feeling lost. Taking a good look at who is around you and the conversations you are having with them and with yourself, however, is a game changer.
What are you watching and listening to?
We all love a good story. There is nothing wrong with a bit of escapist drama but the modern trend toward ‘gritty realism’ homes in on the tough and challenging aspects of life. Soap operas and reality TV fill us with conflict and challenges and that can distort our view of the world.
It’s not just in the world of entertainment either. When did you last watch or listen to the news? How many good news stories did you hear? Not many I’m guessing. I don’t want to get into a battle with the media but they are eager to tell us all what is bad and dramatic in our world. Even in the most violent nations in the world, only 61 people per 100k are murdered a year (https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/murder-rate-by-country) but you really wouldn’t think it when you consider how often they crop up in the news.
If you can change your inputs – from TV, radio, films and especially social media (the Facebook algorithm is being accused of prioritising posts with negative comments in your newsfeed because they know that gets more engagement) – you will drastically change your outputs.
See your impact on the environment of others
Your positivity will have the same impact on others too. If you are a father, you can radically influence the confidence and mindset of your kids with the language you use, the conversations you have and the environment you create for them. Share your enthusiasm and they’ll be in an environment of positivity and self-belief at home. That will then flow out into their school and social activities and influence their future in all the best ways.
The environment you choose has the power to shape and mould you in the present moment and also into the future for generations to come. If you are willing to look beyond yourself (your inner environment) and allow that to create a better life for you and those you love, there’ is nothing you can’t achieve.