We are Products of our Environment.

Posted by Michael Michelini on Nov 25 2007

Been meaning to read this book “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell for a couple years (my friend Laird gifted it to me), saw it on the bookshelf last week and read right through it last night…definitely highly recommended for anyone – good for both professional and personal growth.

Below is a quick sentence I copied down and will try to apply to my daily life:

Pg 163 – The reason that most of us seem to have consistent character is that most of us are really good at controlling our environment.

Throughout the book it says that the little things in life are what really start trends and change attitudes. Parents may feel that they have the biggest effect on a children’s upbringing, but more likely their role is a passive one. They do provide the genes for their child, provide a house/roof, food, and basic daily neccessities, but once the child goes off to school, it is there, WITH THEIR peers, that their personality is shaped….

In school I feel many people are forced to deal in environments that they are not accustomed too, thus many children may not be happy in school. Once they get older, they find their group of friends, know their strengths in themselves, and surround themselves in this environment….

THIS IS what I believe we cannot allow to happen….we cannot get comfortable in a close knit group of friends in a local area The world is too large…there are so many cultures, personalities, tastes that one needs to expose themselves to. Maybe in recent months I’ve taken this to extreme, but its sharpened my mind and FORCED me to adapt to the culture, to people I have never known before

This is what I hope more people do…get out of the normal environment you are comfortable in….shake it up a little…and appreciate a different type of life.

That is what its all about.

Incoming search terms:

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Piotrek

I like that book the tipping point. I only got through one or two chapters but I always meant to read the rest of it.

With great power, comes great responsibility.

One needs to try a different way of life to truly appreciate the one they had.
Miggity

with great power…comes great responsibility – you watching too much spiderman movies???
Dana

Mike – Thats so weird because I just took this book out from the library to read. Had never heard of it before, and now I log in to check your blog and seeing that you are reading it, makes me want to read it more! Hope all is well…Dana
Miggity

Dana – that’s crazyyyyy glad you’re reading the book…and reading my blog!!

Niceeeee

will be in NYC dec 7th to the 16th – need to stop by Deutsche bank!
Kathryn

I just came across your blog while doing a search for bars in San Diego that are extra-fun for Patriots fans. Just moved here from NH. Gotta watch the Chargers/Pats on Sunday.

Specifically, my search for the Sunshine Company on the beach also turned up your blog. Good reading.

Best of luck in China.
http://blog.michaelmichelini.com mike

thanks for reading Kathryn! Funny you found this blog searching for bars in san diego that like patriot fans!!

awesome!!!

thanks for your well wishes
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About

American ecommerce guy, I've been living in South China - Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Dongguan (+ a touch of Philippines) since end of 2007.

Successfully selling online since 2004, took it fulltime early 2007. Love international business & connecting, and working on ways to give hard working people global opportunities. (Read More...)