Choosing the Right People to Surround Yourself With
By Six Figure Real Estate Coach Roberta Ross
I’m not sure who said it first, but I love the quote, “People can be a fountain or a drain – choose wisely.” It’s one of those phrases that stays with you. It makes you think about the relationships in your life – and also about the person you choose to be each day. Since none of us are really climbing the ladders to our successes solo, who we choose to surround ourselves with can either enhance the journey or hold us back. So it’s important to pick those people wisely.
Jim Rohn famously said, “We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.” Well that could be an eye opener for a lot of folks. Take a look around you. Are the people that you are consistently connecting with and who have the greatest influence on you fountains or drains? Are they caught up in the “doom and gloom” news being broadcast in the media or subscribe to that Chicken Little, “sky is falling” mentality? I’m not talking about those who share a legitimate issue who need support during a trying time. I’m talking about those whose goal it seems is to make sure everyone they can find is invited to the pity party or drama play they’ve created because that is their comfort zone. The “I hate my job”, “No one likes me”, “Nothing ever goes right” kind of folks who might not even mind having the tagline, “Misery Loves Company” printed on their business cards. Those are the “drains” that top performers and mentally strong people bid a polite “No, thank you” to and steer clear.
Then there are the fountains. Those people who willingly share what they know. They make it their priority to lift those around them up, while pointing out the positives. The ones who believe in you and celebrate your success. These folks are usually always looking to learn something new, find the next opportunity, and are amazing about embracing change. They are truth seekers who aren’t fooled by the flash of a negative headline, or brought down by the naysayers. These are the people to spend time with, learn from, and adopt their habits as your own.
Look at these areas of your life and determine where you can replace drains with fountains:
Align yourself with people who can bring you closer to where you want to be and who you want to be.
Look to the successful and emulate their behavior. If someone is telling you “it can’t be done”, then be done with her. Perception is a mirror. Limiting advice is most often an indication of the limits the advisor puts on himself. Even just the whisper of “that’s not possible” or “that’s too hard of a goal” can shut people down in their tracks. Don’t let that be you. Dwell in possibility. Surround yourself with greatness. Great people. Great training. Great resources. Great inspirations. Then keep in motion.
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