I constantly read books, listen to audio recordings and am always in search of new knowledge. I never really understood what Jim Rohn meant when he said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with” until today. Now, whether you have achieved incredible success in your business by reaching the next level or you are just starting any business venture; this is absolutely true and will help you reach new heights.
Of course, anyone can grow up with nothing, absolutely zero connections, and make a name for themselves, just like a person born into a “privileged” lifestyle with all connections can make a name for themselves.
So, if anyone can succeed, no matter who their peers are, then what is the point of this article? Why do most famous motivational speakers and coaches keep repeating this quote?
It all comes down to one simple principle: to believe in your strengths and abilities in order to succeed. You are unique. Each of you has something unique to offer the world that no one else can offer.
That was one of the biggest things I had to figure out because, let’s be honest, you can surround yourself with rich and successful people all you want, but that won’t make you successful. You can go to all the parties, attend the same seminars, and listen to the same speakers – but that won’t get you anywhere.
The people you surround yourself with should inspire you, but they cannot motivate you to follow in their footsteps. The difference between motivation and inspiration is that someone can be inspired by what someone says or does, but no one but you can motivate you to pick up the phone to make that sales call. You are the only person who can motivate yourself.
The question then becomes, why should we surround ourselves with the best people? Here are 6 reasons why surrounding yourself with the best people will increase your business success.
Table of Contents
Support
I’m not talking about support in your business where you can pick up the phone and ask any question you want; That’s what a business coach is for. I’m talking about the opportunity to be open and honest through human connection. I can’t tell you how many people said “I wish I could say something” when I was building my business.
Most people would say, “I wish I could understand what you’re going through, but I’ll never see you again because you’re so busy doing what you’re doing…” and that wouldn’t help at all. Not only did I not understand how to deal with the situation emotionally, but I couldn’t find anyone who didn’t feel guilty all the time.
Other business owners who bring in six or seven figures understand how stressful relationships can be, especially at the start of a journey. The other thing they understand is the thought process of what’s going on. You can’t expect anyone to understand why you’re spending $5,000 on self-development or business courses, except for people who have already been in your position. They see it as an investment, while others see it as an expense.
This support system will guide you through the most difficult times you will have to go through because they have been there before and they will also celebrate with you when you achieve everything you set out to achieve – then they will ask you what you’ I will do next.
Growth potential
It was one of the biggest transitions I have had to go through. The reason you are not a millionaire or a billionaire this very minute is because you have to grow into a person who will become a millionaire or a billionaire. You won’t get there if you gossip about what one of your friends did at the party. You achieve this by continually growing through the information you are given and what you do with that information.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve attended a barbecue at one of my friends’ house and they’re happy to see me because they’ve just read a book that I could benefit from. They run and grab the book so they don’t forget.
Let’s stop right here for a minute. How many times have you told a friend that you have something you want him to read, but then you forgot to give it to him? This is one of the most important things I’ve learned is that successful people have laser focus. My friend could not move forward until this task was completed.
Besides books, just listening to the stories they tell about how they overcame different situations is worth its weight in gold.
If you listen carefully, their life story could be the gold nugget you need to close 10 extra business deals next week.
Feedback
Friends are always there to tell you when you have done or are about to do something you will regret. Feedback goes hand in hand with support, but they are different in meaning. I have found that the entrepreneurs I look up to always tell their friends what their next idea is. They want feedback, do they think it’s okay, and they really want to hear their feedback.
The reason they ask is because they are just gathering data for their next adventure. If people were always listening to everyone around them, most of the things they have in life would not be created. If everyone thought they were crazy to do something, they might just do it to prove themselves wrong.
You can’t ask the opinion of others who haven’t been where you are because they can’t form an informed opinion, but someone who has already been there can provide information that you haven’t even thought about yet.
Networking
I’m not talking about people inviting you to parties that you just have to go to so they can present you with a multi-level marketing opportunity. I’m talking about business people who know where you are in your business and your life and can be the bridge that connects you to the people you want to meet.
It’s not always guaranteed, but your friends have other friends, right? I got more leads through mutual friends and word of mouth by attending a pool party than by cold calling different companies. Why is this? Because friends will trust their friends before they trust a stranger, this will automatically make you a confidant.
Inspiration
I know that one morning you woke up and just didn’t want to get out of bed. Most people don’t want to go to work, but they have to go because they want a full 40+ hours in their paycheck. As entrepreneurs, we have no one to report to but ourselves. If you have employees, they can hold you accountable for a raise because they want to keep getting paid.
Surrounding yourself with the best people will make you want to do more, wake up early and stay up late to change the world or just change other people’s lives. If you don’t change the world with your business, who will?
Strong Relationships
The last reason you should surround yourself with the best people is because you can’t do it alone. Life is an interesting journey filled with triumphs and despair. One of the most important lessons I’ve had to learn as an entrepreneur is that I can’t build my business alone, and that’s true of everything in life. You need people who will celebrate with you, and you also need people who have experienced failure because they can tell you that there is a lesson to be learned from every failure. Trust me, the last thing you need while you’re experiencing failure is someone to tell you that you should just give up.
“If it was really meant to be, it wouldn’t be so difficult.”
The truth is to succeed and keep it. Don’t make things worse by surrounding yourself with people who will try to downplay your ambitions. There is nothing worse than dealing with people who always knock you down and in the end you end up giving up, always listening to why you don’t achieve your goals.
Surround yourself with those who lift you up, inspire you to be better, and understand what you’re going through. These will be the people who will change your life and continue to strive to be better than they were today with you.
My task for you is to find those people whom you have always looked up to or who have already achieved success in your industry. As you surround yourself with them, pay attention to how they affect your life and business. I bet you will be surprised!
Andrew Carlson is a speaker and business coach for restaurateurs and small business owners in Los Angeles. It provides clarity, direction, and results, helping you put in place the systems you need to succeed.
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