How much influence comes from the people we spend time with? Do we consciously seek out those with whom we share things in common?

A well-known proverb says that birds of a feather flock together.

Some 3000 years ago Aesop pointed out that a man is known by the company he keeps.

I believe we are intuitively more comfortable with those who are like us then those who are not.  We consciously seek the company of of people who share our interests and values.

I think it is far more interesting to ponder is this question: does the company we keep play a role in the results we achieve? To me this is more important than whether others judge us by our friends or colleagues.

What I see in my clients is that we flock to people whose lives are similar to ours, and with whom we share common interests.

Who is Our Influence?

We naturally drift towards people who work in similar occupations, have similar incomes, live in similar neighborhoods, and share similar values and beliefs.

We do get comfort from being with similar people. However, those same folks could also be barrier to our success when we’re working toward a big goal.

If, for example, you are embarking on an aggressive weight loss program, it may be beneficial to think of who best to spend your time with, and who best to avoid.

Those friends, colleagues and associates who you frequently enjoy meals with and with whom most of your shared time is centered around food may well be people you need to avoid while on your weight loss journey.

Perhaps your time is better spent seeking out those who been successful in losing weight and keeping it off for a long period of time.

Influence by Talent

Sports experts have long told us that if we want to improve our game, the best way is to play with others who are far better than we are.

Play tennis and golf with better players and watch your game soar. Play with those you can defeat easily and your skill level will barely budge.

This sage advice applies not just to sports but to everything. If you want to be a better salesperson, hang out with successful salespeople. Ditto for improving your business skills, and your chess game.

Successful people surround themselves with other equally successfully people. If you want to join their club, find a way to gain entry.

Your associates can reveal a lot about you. For example, very close associates of the high-profile president of a certain large and powerful country have recently pled guilty to, or been convicted of, rather distasteful criminal activities.

Do you think that has an influence on him?

Just saying.

Till we read again.