Create the Conditions for Success

You can’t make yourself fall asleep by trying harder to doze off. In fact, the opposite is more likely to happen.

You’ll have greater success getting your room as dark as possible, investing in a comfortable mattress, and establishing a wind down ritual to prepare yourself mentally for sleep.

This approach to creating the conditions for your desired outcome is universally applicable.

If you’re hosting a party, for example, and want your guests to have the time of their lives, you can’t simply instruct them to have fun.

But you can ensure that anticipation is high and then exceed expectations with delicious food and drink, a great playlist, and maybe some additional surprises thrown in.

By changing our environment to nudge us in the right direction, success becomes much more likely.