When we think of achieving something, many of us say we lack willpower. Having willpower and motivation seem like prerequisites to improving your life. But what if we take a different approach? We can try to purposefully shape our environment to suit the kind of goals we set. It is effective because humans are highly adaptable to a new environment.

Charles Darwin distinguished between natural evolution and domesticated evolution. Natural evolution is an adaptation to various situations. If a species needs to change shape, such as becoming larger, it can adapt. Conversely, the domesticated evolution of animals and plants occurs under human guidance. Humans control the environments of these organisms and can mold desirable traits. For example, they intend to cultivate sweeter berries and leaner pork.

Some people are akin to animals undergoing natural evolution. Often, they cannot change their environment but are capable of adapting to it. Others live by a different principle. They design the environment so that any adaptation becomes an improvement. In other words, they operate by analogy to domesticating animals.

You build your life based on the people around you and the information you absorb. The environment influences every aspect of life, from emotional state and relationships to work and leisure activities. Your potential is shaped by what surrounds you. All thoughts and ideas in your mind didn't come out of nowhere. Everything stems from what you've encountered before.

The person you are and the things you can do in one environment can be very different from the person you are in another. Humans and environments are connected. When adapting, remember that, for example, soil varies in properties and micronutrients. If you want to grow carrots, you have a wide choice of soil. However, if you want to grow mangoes or papayas, you'll need to find a specific type. So, focus on adjusting and improving your environment, not just willpower.