Let’s Talk About This: If We Want to Change Our Lives, Should We Change Our Environment?
This question hits home because it reminds us that our surroundings shape who we become. If we want to grow- whether that means getting healthier, learning more, or becoming financially free— we need to be in spaces that support that kind of growth.
We’ve probably noticed this in real life that we make better choices at the gym than we do in a fast food restaurant. We study better in a quiet library than we do in a moving car. In the same way, if we want to become wealthy, we should hang out in places - and with people - that encourage smart habits, learning, and forward thinking.
Why Our Environment Matters?
Robert Kiyosaki reminds us that most schools and jobs aren’t designed to help us grow in meaningful, life-changing ways. So if we really want success, we might have to step outside the traditional system and build an environment that helps us move forward.
He’s just like many of us—he struggled in school. He wasn’t great at reading, writing, or math. But instead of forcing himself into a career that required high grades, like being a doctor or lawyer, he found a path that fit him better. He became an entrepreneur and real estate investor.
Like us, he realized he didn’t have to be great at everything. He just needed to know what he was good at, and surround himself with the right people to support his growth.
Some of us do better on our own. Others thrive in a team. Either way, we’ve got to find what works for us.
So, What’s Robert Really Telling Us?
He’s saying that we need to create our own path to success by being around the right people - people who are already doing well in the areas we want to grow in.
He also talks about mirror neurons, which are parts of the brain that help us learn by watching others. So, if we want to be great at something, we should spend time with people who are already great at it.
Like, if we want to be amazing at business, we should be around business-minded people. If we want to be pro athletes, we need to be in that environment.
Robert shares that spending time with successful people, like Donald Trump, helped him think bigger and raise his standards.
The big message is, we should do things our own way, but we’ve got to make sure our environment helps us grow and not holds us back.
What We Must Learn as Entrepreneurs?
Robert also talks about something that’s a big challenge for people like us: raising money to start a business.
He admits that when he started, no one wanted to invest in him and he had no money either. But he didn’t give up. He had to be creative and find a way forward.
He says that getting money is a major part of being an entrepreneur, and we usually need to get it from three places:
1. Customers – by selling them our product or service
2. Investors – who will support us if they see potential
3. Employees – who need to contribute more value than they cost
A lot of us might look for an easy solution. But Robert says there isn’t one—we have to figure it out as we go.
He also points out that many professors teaching entrepreneurship have never actually built a business themselves. That’s why some of the things we learn in school don’t always match up with the real world.
Being an entrepreneur means solving problems—even when it’s hard and finding a way to fund our dreams.
What Our Reactions Say About Us?
Robert also noticed something interesting when teaching students about raising money: most of us show fear. We tense up. Our eyes and body language give us away.
But a few of us react differently - we stay calm, focused, and confident.
Robert believes that those of us who stay cool under pressure are more likely to succeed. Why? Because we can think clearly and make smart decisions, even when things get tough.
So, the final thought is, our mindset shows through our actions. If we face challenges with confidence instead of fear, we’ve already taken a huge step toward success.
What is the Cone of Learning? You're about to discover it!
