"ENVIRONMENT IS THE INVISIBLE HAND THAT SHAPES HUMAN BEHAVIOUR" - let me explain...

I read this quote by James Clear – author of Atomic Habits- and it literally sparked my brain into overdrive.

So I posted it on my social media feed asking people what it meant to them. The responses were incredible and varied.

So let’s first look at environment and its meaning:

environment

noun

- the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates.

This definition from the dictionary explains it brilliantly…or does it?

What is the environment, like what actually is it in its entirety?

Well this is my take…

the environment we exist in is a mash up of; the physical conditions, the experiences you have had, the culture and ethos of those you are surrounded by, the habits of those you are surrounded by and the way you are treated by those you are surrounded by.

Can you see where I am going with this yet?

Lets look at the next part of the quote:

“…is the invisible hand that shapes human behaviour”

Invisible hand? Yes- because aside from the physical conditions and experiences, we cannot always see it- it’s embedded in lives through the daily actions of those around us and we are so accustomed to it that it is normal to us.

Shapes human behaviour? Does it? Of course it does- look at your behaviour- look at who you are, what you do, how you operate…and when I say look I mean REALLY look!

Look at what has shaped you to be who you are now- yes, all of the above!

So, I am going to put this all into the context of schools, communities, home, friends and family and highlight to you the impact you are having, can have and will have on the people around you…the little people in particular, and attempt to develop a deeper understanding of what the environment is and make it more of a ‘visible’ hand that can shape behaviour.

So – school and home lets stick to them for now because they are the controllables, for staff teams (school) and parents/carers (home).

What is the culture and ethos like in your school and home?

How do you talk to each other?

How do you treat each other?

What are the habits of the adults in these physical environments?

What are the daily experiences of the little people attending your school or/and home?

These things are what really matter- yes, the physical environment has a fundamental part to play – is it as clean and safe as possible for a start off – but the rest of it…THAT is what will shape the behaviours that you observe.

You want respectful children that are kind, considerate and loving to those around them-then be respectful, kind, considerate and loving to them and those around you.

You want good healthy habits formed for them to embed in their lives- then role model and teach them good, healthy habits in your life.

You want them to understand the importance of structure and routine in their lives- then show them structure and routine and explain how and why it works.

You see – I am highlighting the importance of making these aspects of the environment visible to us all so that we can understand the impact WE have on the behaviours of the little people in our lives short and long term.

The experiences children have, our own and those that we work with, are often uncontrollable. The physical environment we live in, as in the community, is often uncontrollable, which may then mean that the friends that children choose is also uncontrollable to a degree. So although we need to acknowledge these things as difficult to challenge and change, we should not put to much emphasis and focus on them because it is a waste of energy!

Use your energy to put the focus in the controllables I have discussed here. Take some time to reflect on ‘the invisible hand’ that I have highlighted and how this has, and is, impacting on the behaviours of the young ones in your life.

Your school culture not what you want it to be? Then get to work on changing it to how you want it to be.

Your home ethos and structure not what you want it to be? Then sit the family down and begin to implement changes.

You see my point?

There is a certain level of control we have that we need to take control of- but you cannot take control of something you cannot see.

I hope I’ve gone some way in helping you see it.

I am ALWAYS in your corner!

Good luck!