Bad-Friend-smColin Powell once said, “The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve.”  But, the opposite is also true.  If you spend time with people who are moving in a positive direction, you will, too.  It’s really that simple.  Scientific data shows that we automatically mirror the things we see and that goes for the people who are closest to us.

In fact, according to professional speaker, Jim Rohn, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”  That’s something to think about!  And, it makes sense.  We’re impacted by our environment – our physical surroundings and relationships.  The people with whom we interact regularly influence how we think, feel and behave.

Take the time to assess your closest associations – friends, family members and the co-workers you’re most closely aligned with. Ask yourself three questions posed by Andrew Horton in his SelfEmprovement.com piece about this very topic.

  • Are you surrounding yourself with people that will support your current journey?
  • Do these people have a desire to see you succeed?
  • Are they successful themselves or are they on a similar journey to yours?

Who are the five people with whom you spend the most time?  What are they like?  Are they ambitious, motivated, respectful, inclusive and empowered?  Are they learning and growing?  Or are they wishing and hoping, whining and complaining, blaming and finger pointing, stuck in the story of their not-so-happy past?

If your assessment suggests your five closest friends are on the success and satisfaction track, hang in there with them.  If not, change is needed.  Begin by associating with one person who is on the path you want to walk, achieving her goals, living his vision.

For a better understanding of how people in your life affect how you feel, perform and even see yourself, pick up a copy of my book “LIES That Limit” available on Amazon.com.

The same way people going nowhere can drag you down, those who are on the right path to achieving their goals can lift you up and effortlessly inspire and motivate you to do the same.

 

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