Day 21: Do the Five People Closest to You Fully Support Your Goals?

Today’s topic is important for executives and entrepreneurial leaders—and anyone working to achieve goals or make a smooth change or transition in their life.

Jim Rohn tells us that we are defined by the five people we spend the most time with. That’s a serious consideration. To ensure that we’re being successful, we usually ask ourselves: on what do I spend my time? He suggests we ask: with whom do I spend my time?

It’s an interesting exercise to look at the people in our near social and career circles. Who are your top five in terms of time spent together? Consider their level of energy and positivity. Consider their motivations towards you, and their emotional intelligence. Whether you want to or not, you will be heavily influenced by those people and their attitudes.

Seek Emotional Intelligence, Flexibility and Support

Change can be hard for people—especially when others change. Too often, our loved ones prefer us to stay the same way. Suppose today you decide to make a change in your career. Even if you have an idea of what you want to pursue, if you don’t gather the right people around you, you may end up discouraged and decide again to stay where you are.

I’m not saying you have to discard all your friends or associates, but you have to mindfully surround yourself with the supportive people relative to new your project or endeavors. You want to ensure your success by gathering the right energy around you. You want models of emotionally intelligent leaders.

A few years ago, I went through this exercise. I realized that a few of the people in my life loved me (I can’t say that they didn’t) but they also wanted me to stay the same. I was ready for a change that would help me blossom and grow into a fuller version of myself. But they were afraid to see me making the changes I was making. I had to develop new friendships with people who were supportive and uplifting about my changes.

Today in my life, that is still my experience. In the past 6 years, the people around me have changed a great deal. I still have my old friends, but my social circles have progressed naturally to a place where I’m surrounding myself with more and more people who lift me up and inspire me. They have the right energy to support not only my new lifestyle but my elevated vision and the belief system that I have developed over the past few years.

Minimize Naysayers or Complainers

If you find people in your close network who are naysayers or complainers, you might become one of them. It’s a risk you have to look at. You might be affected or even defined by them, even

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