Who You Hang Out With Is Who You Become
Jolien Demeyer
Want to enable 1,000,000 companies to make smarter marketing decisions through data-driven insights, and help 1,000,000 female founders to achieve more in their life #JustDoIt #FemFuel
Lesson 36 of the FemFuel Fempreneurial Journey
Throughout my career, I've been privileged to encounter awe-inspiring stories of women who not only went big but also embodied a distinct entrepreneurial spirit.
These stories are not just tales of success; they are blueprints of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering determination. This is the 36th lesson, Why Your Environment Matters More Than Motivation
Your environment shapes your destiny
As we soon step into 2025, one thing is undeniable: your environment shapes your destiny. It’s not fleeting motivation or bursts of willpower that drive lasting change—it’s the people you surround yourself with and the spaces you choose to inhabit.
When I entered the startup world, I was brimming with curiosity and ambition. Like many entrepreneurs, I faced moments of doubt, setbacks, and uncertainty. What made all the difference? My environment.
Moving to Chicago was pivotal. The city’s vibrant startup ecosystem exposed me to ideas, opportunities, and connections I hadn’t imagined. If my close friend hadn’t dared to start her own company, I might not have believed I could do the same. And if I hadn’t spent countless evenings at MeetUp events, learning from seasoned founders, I might have let my struggles hold me back.
The women I met—visionaries, risk-takers, and creators—uplifted me. They didn’t just share advice; they ignited a sense of possibility. Their energy transformed my perspective on challenges and success.
The Invisible Hand of Environment
As James Clear says in Atomic Habits:
“Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior.”
Think about it:
Your surroundings—physical and social—create behavior patterns. They shape your thoughts, actions, and aspirations, often without you realizing it.
Why Surroundings Are Crucial to Growth
To achieve something meaningful—whether starting a business, adopting a healthier lifestyle, or leveling up in your career—your environment either propels you forward or holds you back.
Here’s how:
Intentional Choices Lead to Transformation
Looking back, I see how intentional choices in my environment fundamentally changed my life. The supportive community of female entrepreneurs I built didn’t just help me grow—it reshaped how I viewed success.
Spending time with these women revealed possibilities I hadn’t dared to dream of. Their energy, generosity, and sheer determination inspired me to push past my limits. It wasn’t about competition; it was about collaboration and mutual upliftment.
But creating the right environment isn’t always about finding mentors or people further along than you. Sometimes, it’s about stepping back, creating space, and asking yourself what you truly want—without outside influences clouding your vision.
Practical Steps to Redesign Your Environment
If you want to thrive in 2025, take control of your environment. Here’s how:
Why Environment Overpowers Motivation
Motivation is fleeting. It’s easy to feel inspired after a great podcast, book, or event—but that energy fades. An unsupportive environment will always pull you back to old patterns.
The right environment, however, fosters sustainable growth. It reinforces good habits, keeps you aligned with your goals, and energizes you when times get tough.
Main Takeaway
The people you spend time with and the spaces you occupy are the strongest predictors of your success and happiness. Be intentional. Choose environments that reflect the life you want to create, and watch how they transform you in return.
In the words of Robert Wyland:
“There are two types of people—anchors and motors. You want to lose the anchors and get with the motors because the motors are going somewhere, and they’re having more fun.”
So choose your motors. Build your dream environment. And let 2025 be the year you rise to your full potential.
If this resonates, let me know in the comments or share it with someone who needs a reminder of the power of their environment. This is your year—make it one that inspires greatness.
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This is a series of posts, each uncovering a lesson I learned from entrepreneurship
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