Those You Hang Around With, Your Influencers and 5 Questions To Ask Yourself

Most of us experienced the lessons – heard the same songs from our parents.  As kids our parents warned us about hanging out with the wrong crowd, didn’t they? 

As soon as we grow up we look back and realize they were exactly right, and our early opinions were wrong.

In one of his articles, Phil Cooke said:  “The truth is, the people you run with are the people who will inspire, educate, and motivate you. “

You know what?  That’s true!

Those You Hang Around With

When I was growing up, my parents and grandparents were very concerned for my well-being when – as any parent should. 

Often I heard my late grandma say: “Tell me who you hang around with, and I’ll tell you what you are.”  She would also say: “once a junkie – always a junkie.”

I know the second statement is relevant and is often overcome, but the first one is set in concrete.

Her statement of “once a junkie, always a junkie” put the fear of God in me to the point to where I never tried drugs – even when offered free of charge.  I was too scare to try.


Your Influencers

The reality is that your friends, your teachers, your mentors, your coworkers, and your circle of influence will help design a mindset and a way of life that could either help you or destroy you. 

Your influencers are very important - they will brand you.

It is imperative to keep in mind that your influencers will eventually turn you into an influencer yourself. 

Here’s a truth:  You are always influencing others.  Everyone close and somewhat distant, like your neighbors or those you touch base with on a weekly or monthly basis, are being influenced by you.

For the younger crowd, many have always heeded the grandma and grandpa’s warning and you happen to be evaluated.

Quite the thought – isn’t it?

Tell me who you hang around with, and I’ll tell you what you are                                                               - Grandma 

 

This helps us considers the values we and others respect, helping us ask ourselves some questions in the process. 

 
5 Questions To Ask Yourself
 
Here are the 5 of questions to ask yourself and contend with in terms of your career or your calling in life:

1.  Who do you spend the most time with?

2.  Do they inspire you to become more, better or unique?

3.  Do they encourage you to not quit, but keep going til the end?

4.  Do they listen to you and entertain your ideas?   I mean, do they really pay attention to you?

5.  Do they value what’s important to you, your life, and your values?  In other words, do they value your values? 
 
If so, then you might just be hanging around with the right crowd. 

If not, I hate to break it down to you like this but the fact of the matter is, you might just be creating a shady mindset leading you to a defeated future.  

When influencing others, our intentions ought to be genuine and authentic.  The influence must be from pure motives.

Like it or not, we influence others even when we don't intend to.  Our actions and our words influence others - it sometimes marks them for life.

I still remember words and actions from people (especially adults) from my childhood.  People that I have not seen in years and others that have already passed.

In 1991 I heard a motivational speaker say: "your actions speak so loud, I can't hear what you're saying."

You know, I'll never forget that.  This is one principle I live by and measure others by as well.

I can't afford to be seen - louder than my words.  (you can tweet that)

I must be intentionally authentic, purposeful and valuable to those around me - if I want to make the right positive impact to others.

So here are the main takeaways for today:

1.  Look and hang around those that value your values and influence you positively.

2.  Become a value giver to those around you

3.  Make others your priority and your seed of great value will eventually give you a great harvest.

4.  Be genuine and authentic in your influence to others .

I’ve always kept something in mind I learned from Zig Ziggler, when he used to say:  “You get what you want in life, when you help enough people get what they want.”
 

Question:  What other questions do you think are necessary to keep in mind when choosing the right friends or circle of influence to hang out with?