Over the 1600s, as Eurasians started exploring the Americas, one thing stood out – the natives were nowhere as advanced as their counterparts dwelling across the Eurasian lands. What could be the reason? Many attributed it to their laziness and lack of education, but this question has intrigued historians and scientists ever since.

In his book, Guns, Germs, and Steel, historian and author Jared Diamond explains a critical factor: the difference in the shapes of continents. Both North and South America have a vertical primary axis, which means that they are taller than they are wide. But Eurasia (Europe & Asia) has a horizontal primary axis, with more width than height.

In general, places located at the same latitude (horizontal axis) have similar climates, making it easier for both animals and plants to adapt. This similarity of environment opened gates for trade via the famous Silk Road across Eurasia centuries ago.

On the other hand, due to the vertical orientation of the Americas, climate varied drastically even within a few hundred miles traveling from South to North. This made it difficult for both animals and crops from one region to spread in other regions along the axis.

If we consider the example of crops, the people living across Europe and Asia had a huge advantage. Due to a similar climate, most crops from China could be cultivated across Europe and vice versa. This led to a rise in agriculture across the continent, increasing food supply, which in turn led to rapid population growth. A bigger population meant bigger armies and faster technological advancements.

On the other hand, climate variation across the primary axis of the Americas was so intense that no trade routes could sustain, barring any exchange of crops, animals, ideas, and technology. Consider growing Florida oranges in Canada centuries ago. How could anything thrive?

This explains even more things like how gunpowder technology could reach 6,500 from China to Western Europe centuries ago, while in the Americas the technology of wheel could not spread even 500 miles from Mexico to the Andes. The consequences are unfathomable.

Now imagine, if the environment can silently shape the destiny of whole continents, what can it do for you. Your environment influences your choices, both good and bad, and thus your whole life. We are quick to blame the environment for our failures, but it is time we start attributing our success to it as well.

Designing a favorable environment is winning half the battle, as it makes your desired actions easier, while also saving the willpower to fight distractions. Use this knowledge to curate your environment for success. Make the desired choices easier: keep water, books, and passions close. But also make negative influences hard to reach, like toxic people, cigarettes, sweets, or television: out of sight, out of mind.