You are what you surround yourself with. Have you ever noticed how your surroundings affect your attitude? Dark gloomy weather can bring your mood down. An excited friendly person can bring your mood back up.
This goes for your everyday life also. Think about those you surround yourself with. They say your closest five friends will have the same income levels as you and a variety of other habits. This can be good or it can be very bad. Think about your closest friends for a minute and see if that’s true. Are their incomes the same or less than yours? Do you all go to the same places for entertainment and education? Do you all wake up at the same time each day and go to bed at around the same times at night? Similar pets too?
Many years ago I took a job as a personal trainer in a high end club in downtown Chicago. This club has been around since the civil war. It was a hotel, business club, restaurant and health club. Some of the biggest money in the city belonged there. It was an absolute inspiration for me. It truly changed the direction of my life. The influence of these members was immense. They helped me understand what was possible. They helped me with the nuts and bolts of building my other business. They showed me how to live a higher life. They never told me it was going to be easy, but it was going to be worth it. I can’t even imagine where I would be if it weren’t for that club. My business took off and I became a member of the club myself.
It comes down to a drive to continually improve. The right circle of influence will keep you improving and growing at a rapid rate.The right circle will be happy to see you improve and won’t fight to keep you where you are or even where they are. The successful are not threatened by others desire to succeed. They are happy to be a part of it.
Again, if you’re looking to do big things with your business this is going to be a large part of helping you get there. I get it that not everybody wants to have a massive business. It seems overwhelming to most. Whatever the size of your business, the influence of others more successful than you is still very important. They’ll bring the quality of operation to your business. They’ll teach you about charging the appropriate prices for what you offer. They demonstrate the importance of bringing high value to your business. There’s always a nugget to be grasped no matter what your level.
For those looking for big growth, approach it this way: If your business is doing 5 million a year you should be striving for 10 million or more. That’s how you stay fresh and creative. Creativity is what grows a business. Focus on your goals and how to achieve them. Who can you get close to that can assist you? Whose influence could you benefit from?
If you or your business has stagnated you need to use this technique to reinvigorate yourself and your business. Increase your circle of influence, attend seminars, take a new look at your business from the outside and make improvements. Rekindle the spark that began your journey in the first place and you’ll see yourself begin to grow again in no time!
Understand the real potential of your business. Get uncomfortable so you have to adjust your situation to move forward. Force yourself to meet others of greater stature than yours. Influence is a word you need to commit to your vocabulary and mindset. The old saying of “It’s not what you know but who you know” does hold water. It’s not about a good ole boy network. it’s about bringing value to the influencers around you in your network.
They’ll take notice of you and be willing to use their influence to help you. Always give to get. Don’t just chase people down to get something from them. It must be a two way street and it starts with you. Do it with no expectations of reciprocation. The more value you can bring to others, the more that will be returned to you.
It’s a little weird, almost creepy isn’t it? We all want to be around like-minded people for sure. The trouble is that desire locks us into a stagnant place. A place absent of growth for ourselves personally and professionally. A comfort zone that will insure you stay steeped in mediocrity. This is going to take some serious attention on your part to leave this circle of influence.
One thing for sure, if you’re looking to change and become more successful you will need to upgrade your circle of influence. You never want to be the smartest person in the room or the wealthiest. You need to be constantly reaching for better. If you’re a millionaire you should be striving to be a billionaire. I’ve always said “If I’m the smartest guy in the room, I have to find a new room.” It’s easy when you’re the best of those around you to stay there. People are asking you questions and applauding your accomplishments all around you. That’s great for your ego but not so much for advancing your business and personal development. Choose carefully. You are who you surround yourself with.
