Believe it or not, I accidentally bought a house when I was 21 years old. It all started after a five-day road trip to New York. 

On my way back, I called my mom to let her know I’d be home that evening. 

She told me I needed a new plan because my grandpa, who was having health issues, had moved into my bedroom.

This news overwhelmed me with emotions: compassion and love for my grandpa, confusion about where to go next, and fear that being homeless would mess up my life. 

For weeks, I bounced around, staying on friends’ couches until my sister and brother-in-law bought a house, giving me a temporary place to stay.

Several factors influenced my decision to buy a house:

1. Workplace Influences: My coworkers, who were all older, constantly complained about the difficulties of renting, dealing with landlords, and the struggle to save enough money to escape the rental cycle.
2. Inspiring Books: My grandmother had given me books like Sara and the Foreverness of Friends of a Feather by Abraham Hicks and Let the Magic Begin: Opening the Door to a Whole New World of Possibility by Cathy Lee Crosby. These books introduced me to new attitudes about positivity, possibility, and imagination.
3. Family Influence: Watching my sister and brother-in-law buy a house made me consider homeownership as a viable option.

Once I decided to pursue homeownership, everything fell into place quickly. 

A realtor practically fell into my lap, a friend who worked at a mortgage company guided me through the process, and I started searching for my dream property immediately.

I was fortunate to be prepared with a good income, a solid credit score, and money for a down payment. 

Within a couple of months, my dream of owning a home became a reality.

Was it my desire to invest in the American dream that led to this outcome? 

Not really. It happened because my environment and circumstances made homeownership a practical solution to my problem.

The Truth Is…

Your environment plays a key role in whether you succeed or fail. Research shows that people are influenced by their social networks up to several degrees of separation. 

This idea was popularized by studies from Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler, who found that behaviors like happiness, obesity, and smoking can spread through social networks up to three degrees of separation (your friends, your friends’ friends, and their friends).

Quantum physics suggests that particles don’t create themselves; the environment is where creation happens. 

This means our surroundings greatly affect our lives and our ability to achieve our desires.

Think about your own life. When have you felt driven by external influences like books, podcasts, friends, or your work environment? 

And when have your internal influences—your thoughts, visions, or feelings—helped you realize a new path?

In my journey to buy a house, both my internal and external environments helped me make it happen. 

Here’s how you can reach your goals by changing your environment:

Step 1: Define and Research

• Clarify your goal and interests: Know what you want to achieve and why.
• Research groups: Use online searches, social media, and local resources to find relevant groups.

Step 2: Evaluate and Join

• Evaluate potential groups: Look for reviews, attend open meetings, and contact group leaders.
• Join the group: Complete any membership requirements and start participating.

Step 3: Engage and Reflect

• Engage actively: Attend meetings, participate in activities, and network with members.
• Reflect on progress: Regularly assess how the group is helping you towards your goal and adjust as needed.

No matter what your interest is—homesteading, traveling, or cognitive behavioral therapy—there are groups out there for almost any topic you can imagine. 

By changing both your internal and external environments, you can change the results you get in life. 

It might sound complicated, but it’s really not. Give it a try and see how it works for you.

By recognizing how your environment affects your goals and taking steps to shape it positively, you can set yourself up for success. 

Whether it’s joining a supportive community, finding positive role models, or developing a strong internal mindset, your surroundings play a crucial role in helping you reach your dreams.

Remember, achieving your goals isn’t just about hard work—it’s also about being in the right environment. 

Start by defining your goals, researching groups that can support you, and getting involved. 

With the right people and influences around you, anything is possible.

So take action today, change your environment, and watch how your life improves.

Be well,

Jennifer Beard