“Is the company you keep, keeping you back?” asks Jarod Kintz, author of Who Moved My Cheese? My parents taught me this truth as a kid: “Steve, be careful who you choose to be friends with, ‘cause you’ll become like them.” I got it, at the surface level.
People more than a connection
There’s power in your associations. The sneaky part is how subtle the influence can be. Like a 4-man raft launched on a slow moving river, you can float along adopting the thinking, attitudes, and lifestyle of others without noticing. Going “down the river” because you know — it takes an effort to go upstream.
Speaking of associations, Darren Hardy loves to tell what his mentor, Jim Rohn, taught him. “You become the combined average of the five people you hang around the most. You’ll end up with the combined average of the attitude, the combined average of health, the combined average lifestyle, the combined average income of those five.”
Colin Powell’s statement illustrates the importance of associations,
The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity. An important attribute of successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people. As you grow, your associates will change. Some of your friends will not want you to go on. They will want you to stay where they are. Friends that don’t help you climb will want you to crawl. Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that don’t increase you will eventually decrease you.
Create Space to think
I love this quip from Jarod Kintz. “When I compliment you, I compliment myself, because I am who I associate with.”
I know you’re a successful leader. Your parents probably taught you the same lesson in life. Mine did. So let me ask you…
Who are your associates? Is their power stretching your vision, or choking your dreams? Where will the combined average of their influence take you in your Story?
How are your associations driving your thinking? Your values, behaviors, positivity, the pursuit of health, or financial freedom?
Who’s pushing you forward? Who’s holding you back?
Here’s to your pursuit of your next level,
Steve
P.S.: Want some positive associations?
Have a FREE LUNCH on me in Tulsa or Oklahoma City. Each month I host the Next Level Leadership Lunch for FREE. Without fail people express gratitude for creating space to breath, reflect, laugh, eat, and be encouraged by the association experienced. I’d love for you to join us.
For an even greater association, join 12 other leaders and learn the four secrets of a breakthrough on Sept 23, 8 am – 12 pm, at Next Level’s “Performance Breakthrough. After four hours, each attendee will walk out with a plan to join early 20th century Paris art salons, Jesus and the 12 disciples and late 70‘s Silicon Valley garages in their success. Don’t miss out.
Image: Eli Duke