if you examine how human behavior has been shaped over time, you discover that motivation (and even talent) is often overvalued. In many cases, the environment matters more.

When agriculture began to spread around the globe, farmers had an easier time expanding along east-west routes than along north-south ones.

agriculture spread two to three times faster across Asia and Europe than it did up and down the Americas.

We tend to believe our habits are a product of our motivation, talent, and effort. Certainly, these qualities matter. But the surprising thing is, especially over a long time period, your personal characteristics tend to get overpowered by your environment.

If you want to maximize your odds of success, then you need to operate in an environment that accelerates your results rather than hinders them.

First, automate good decisions. Whenever possible, design an environment that makes good decisions for you.

It is important to remember that the environment drives our good behaviors as well as our bad ones. People who seem to stick to good habits with ease are often benefitting from an environment that makes those behaviors easier.

Winners often win because their environment makes winning easier.