Do all of you believe in the saying you are who you are based on the company you keep. If your family and friends define you as per this statement, then if they are not on your level does that mean you will not grow or maybe they will hold you back? What if the coin was on the other side, and you have a group of friends who want to give you the boot because you are not winning as per their standards. Maybe you have not had success in a few years and feel you are in a rut professionally, does that qualify you to be a loser? This thinking came to me as I was reading a post that made a hidden reference stating people will be more successful if they are around successful people.
OK the question of the day is when do you know if you should move on, and find more successful people or if you should stay loyal to your original circle and hopefully they will surprise you one day by getting that PHD degree. I am struggling with finding the appropriate reasoning behind leaving your good friends that you get along with but may not be at your level. Maybe I am different from others who are cut throat type of individuals, or maybe since watching the movie Rudy I was forever changed. (90% of the time I root for the underdog unless it is my favorite team)
The second question is what if you are the person being dumped or pushed aside, what would you do? Keep attempting to hang out and communicate with a person disinterested in you or move on as well. I can’t believe it but this happens all the time here at my place of work. Certain circles of people hang every day and then in a month or two one person is suddenly out casted, thus not seen every day with the same crowd and is now eating lunch Hans Solo. Damn people can be rude at times, but do they have reasoning or not? Can that sort of behavior lead to promotions and success in the office? I really do not know, but I have heard the richer get richer. People who invest in businesses and real estate join forces with others with the same mentality or for that fact the same wallet size. Do you know how awkward it would be to ask your buddy that has 50 K debt and a 30K income to invest in a 3 family house with you? Hello the answer will be 95% of the time a flat-out, I can’t do it buddy.
In Conclusion will you, if you strive for more find a circle of successful friends or stick with the original circle of friends you had? Maybe you have the drive and determination to achieve success by yourself and not involve your friends or family. Do you think Wal-Mart, Microsoft, or Apple would be the successful companies they have become without help from those close to the founders? I would assume no is a possibility to the answer. Everyday millions of no name insiders make things happen for companies and thus continue in making the entity successful. A great idea is the starting point, but without a successful motivated and energized team the idea would not get off the ground.
That great show you see with all the great actors who bring you joyous TV magic do not do it by themselves. There are at least 30 + show staffers who make it happen behind the scenes. What does this crap have to do with the post? If you strive for success and are one step closer to a major milestone, do you trust some new business acquaintance to help you do business dealings or would you be more willing to trust a friend you have known for years.
I think I would probably trust somebody whom I have known for years. My one trepidation would be that a relationship can turn sour when you intertwine money with family / friends.
Comment if you agree with the company you keep post above or if you do not? Have you ever dropped a friend because they were a complete mess and didn’t strive for success?
Rich Uncle EL
It is always good to surround yourself with successful people to be in that mindset. I also believe that you can be a positive influence on people as well. To remove yourself from a group can be a sticky and tough decision and situation.