Welcome to a thought-provoking episode of The Morning Jolt, where today, we're exploring the profound influence of our surroundings on our abilities, achievements, and the recognition we receive. Our conversation is sparked by the story of Joshua Bell, whose subway performance serves as a powerful metaphor for the importance of context in our lives. This episode is for anyone seeking to understand how their environment affects their growth and success, and how to cultivate spaces that truly allow us to flourish.


Show Highlights:[00:00] Introduction:

• Greetings from The Morning Jolt.
• Brief overview of today’s focus: Understanding the impact of environment through Joshua Bell's story.

[02:00] The Subway Experiment of Joshua Bell:

• Detailing Joshua Bell’s subway performance and its surprising outcome.
• Discussion on why location and setting drastically affected Bell’s recognition.

[04:00] The Science of Surroundings:

• Exploring research from the Journal of Environmental Psychology on environmental influence over our perception of beauty and talent.
• How the right work environment boosts productivity, referencing a study from the Harvard Business Review.

[06:00] Finding Your Ideal Environment:

• Identifying signs that your current environment may not be conducive to your growth.
• Practical tips for seeking or creating spaces where your talents are recognized and nurtured.

[08:00] Environmental Impact Across Aspects of Life:

• Highlighting studies on the effect of environment on learning, health, and mental well-being from the University of Salford and CDC.
• The importance of supportive social and professional circles.

[09:30] Key Insights:

1. The crucial role of context in how our abilities are valued.
2. The link between environment and our overall performance and happiness.
3. Strategies for proactively changing or enhancing our environments for the better.

[10:30] Wrapping Up:

• Encouragement to reflect on and take action towards improving our surroundings.
• Invitation for listeners to share their own stories of environmental change and its impacts.

Resources for Further Exploration:

• Book Recommendation: "The Hidden Influence of Environment on Mindset and Success" - Explore how different settings impact our thoughts and achievements.
• Article: "Creating Inspiring Spaces" - Tips on enhancing your personal and professional environments for greater well-being and productivity.

Follow Don online at By getting his book, the 4Cs of Accountability, here 

@Donmarkland Twitter@executivecoach.don

Instagram@donmarkland Facebook

DonMarkland LinkedIn

Youtube YOUTUBE

Please subscribe to The Morning Jolt Podcast at: Apple

Spotify