Have you ever heard the saying, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”? It’s not just a catchy phrase — it holds real significance, especially when it comes to achieving success. The people you surround yourself with have a powerful influence on your thoughts, actions and ultimately, your success. Successful people understand this, which is why they deliberately choose to spend time with inspiring, motivated and goal-oriented individuals. They know that by surrounding themselves with the right people, they can stay motivated, gain new perspectives and push themselves to new heights.
Confidence in your abilities to go after your goals can sometimes be difficult to find or keep.
It can sometimes take time to discover the confidence you have inside you. This can be especially true if you are trying something new.
I have a program that can help you to discover what is holding you back from achieving your goals as well as help you set an attainable goal related to where you are in your life and where you are trying to be.
This program also works with you to build up your confidence in being able to reach your goal.
You can find out more about this program at Confidology, a funny name but a serious program.
You can contact me to talk about this or any other aspect of confidence and success at michael@coachmichaelw.com
Visit the site and read through the program description.
If you are not ready to commit to a full program, I have a self-paced course on Udemy that may be of interest. You can find out about the course and register at Confidence and Motivation Development and Maintenance
Humans are social creatures, and we tend to adopt the behaviours and attitudes of the people around us. This is why successful individuals carefully curate their social circles to include people who inspire them, challenge them and support their growth. Whether it’s friends, colleagues, mentors or family members, the company you keep can either propel you forward or hold you back. Successful people understand the value of being around others who push them to be their best, and they consciously seek out those relationships.
Think about the people you spend the most time with. Do they encourage you to pursue your goals, or do they tend to focus on negativity or distractions? If you’re surrounded by people who are constantly complaining, avoiding challenges or settling for mediocrity, it can be hard to maintain the motivation to push yourself. On the other hand, if you’re around people who are driven, optimistic and constantly striving to improve, it’s much easier to stay focused on your own path to success.
It’s not just about motivation, either. The people you surround yourself with also shape your mindset. Successful people know that being around others who have a growth mindset — those who believe that abilities can be developed through hard work and learning — helps foster their own belief in continuous improvement. By engaging with people who see challenges as opportunities and who are committed to personal development, they reinforce those same attitudes in themselves. This creates a positive feedback loop that leads to even greater success.
Moreover, being around inspiring people exposes you to new ideas and perspectives that you might not encounter on your own. Successful individuals often credit their social circles for providing valuable insights and advice that helped them navigate challenges or spot new opportunities. These aren’t just casual friendships — they’re relationships that provide real value by offering fresh perspectives, honest feedback and support when it’s needed most.
Actionable Step: Take a moment to assess the people you spend the most time with. Are they lifting you up or pulling you down? If you feel like your current circle isn’t inspiring or motivating you, it might be time to seek out new connections. Start by attending networking events, joining clubs or organizations or even reaching out to someone you admire for a coffee chat. Building a network of inspiring people takes effort, but it’s one of the most valuable investments you can make in your personal growth and success.
Successful people also understand the importance of mentors in their lives. A mentor is someone who has more experience or knowledge in a particular area and who is willing to share their insights to help you grow. Mentors can offer guidance, provide constructive feedback and help you avoid common mistakes. Having a mentor doesn’t just give you access to their knowledge — it also gives you access to their network. Many successful people credit their mentors not only with giving them advice but with opening doors that led to new opportunities.
But mentors aren’t the only important people in a successful person’s circle. Peers who share similar goals and ambitions can be just as influential. Being around like-minded individuals who are pursuing their own goals creates a sense of accountability and motivation. When you see others working hard and making progress, it pushes you to do the same. This is why successful people often seek out communities or networks of people who share similar passions and goals.
Even casual friendships can have an impact. Successful people often spend time with others who are not only ambitious but also positive and supportive. A strong support system is critical for weathering the ups and downs of life. It’s much easier to stay resilient and focused when you know you have people in your corner who believe in you and your goals. These relationships provide emotional support during tough times and celebration during victories, helping successful individuals maintain their drive and enthusiasm.
In addition to surrounding themselves with positive influences, successful people also distance themselves from toxic relationships. They recognize that spending time with people who are constantly negative, critical or unsupportive can drain their energy and derail their progress. It’s not always easy to cut ties with people, especially if they’ve been in your life for a long time, but successful individuals understand that their time and energy are too valuable to waste on relationships that don’t serve their growth.
Another powerful benefit of surrounding yourself with inspiring people is that it helps you stay accountable to your goals. When you’re part of a group that’s committed to growth and success, there’s a natural sense of accountability that develops. You don’t want to be the only person in the group who isn’t making progress or who’s slacking off. This accountability can be incredibly motivating, as it pushes you to stay on track and keep striving toward your goals.
It’s also worth noting that surrounding yourself with inspiring people doesn’t mean you should only seek out those who are “above” you in terms of success or experience. Successful individuals understand the value of diverse perspectives. They cultivate relationships with people from different backgrounds, industries and walks of life. This diversity of thought enriches their own understanding and helps them see problems and solutions from angles they might not have considered otherwise.
Building a network of inspiring people doesn’t happen overnight. It requires intentional effort. Successful people actively seek out these relationships by attending conferences, joining industry groups or simply reaching out to others whose work they admire. They are willing to step out of their comfort zone to connect with people who can help them grow. They also invest time in maintaining these relationships, knowing that a strong network is built on mutual support and shared values.
One of the most overlooked aspects of success is the idea of giving back to your network. Successful people don’t just surround themselves with inspiring individuals for their own benefit — they also make a point to support and uplift others. They understand that success is not a zero-sum game. By helping others succeed, they contribute to a positive and collaborative environment that benefits everyone involved. Whether it’s through mentoring, sharing resources or simply offering encouragement, successful people are generous with their time and support because they know it creates a ripple effect of success.
Surrounding yourself with inspiring people is one of the most powerful things you can do to set yourself up for success. These relationships will motivate you, challenge you and provide invaluable support and insight. The company you keep can either propel you toward your goals or hold you back — so be deliberate in choosing who you spend your time with. Seek out people who inspire you, who push you to be better and who support your journey. In return, be someone who lifts others up, and you’ll find that success becomes not just an individual pursuit, but a shared experience.
To talk about any aspect of success or working with a Life Coach to help you to achieve success, you can book a 45-minute call by clicking on the blue button below.
Don’t try to do all of this by yourself, ask and receive the guidance that can get you moving towards your own success.
Nothing happens until action is taken.
To your success.
Michael
P.S Don’t forget to visit Confidology to learn more about the program. If you are not ready to commit to a full program, I have a self-paced course on Udemy that may be of interest. You can find out about the course and register at Confidence and Motivation Development and Maintenance
P.P.S if you want to find out more about my programs just check out the site Confidence and Life Coaching
P.P.P.S. If you enjoy reading these articles on my blog, I have more books that have more of this type of information that you can find out more about at Books to Read. You can buy these ebooks at many on-line book stores. The links to the bookstores are at the link above.
If you have an Amazon Kindle account, there are different books at Amazon – Michael W (author)
Photo by Toby Osborn on Unsplash
