Success

Success - Surround Yourself with Success - Part 1

Who are you around? What effect are they having on you? Is that okay? How you answer these questions, and the action that you take around those answers, may dramatically affect your level of success.
In Part 1 of this two-part series, we will look at the people around us, and the affect they’re having on our success. In the next issue, Part 2 will explore specific ways to surround ourselves with success.
As the story goes, Mark Victor Hansen was lamenting to Tony Robbins about his less than desirable level of success. “I don’t understand it,” said Hansen. “I just can’t seem to get from where I am to where I want to be.”
“Well, who are the people around you?” asked Robbins.
“The thing is,” replied Hansen. “I’m hanging out with millionaires.”
“That’s the problem,” declared Robbins. “You need to start hanging out with billionaires.”
Mark Victor Hansen took Tony Robbins’ advice, and the rest is history.
Now, obviously, surrounding himself with billionaires wasn’t the only reason that Hansen became incredibly successful with his Chicken Soup empire. And we can certainly argue that those two play in a league very different from our own. But the story illustrates one of the fundamental laws of success: If you want to be successful, then surround yourself with successful people. The converse of that is also true. For no matter what else you do right, if you associate with the wrong people, you will find

it virtually impossible to succeed.
In assessing the affect that our relationships have on your success, you must ask yourself three questions: Who are the people in your life? What effect are these people having on your life? And the big question: Is that okay?
The first question is easy enough to answer. Examine the people around you—your family, friends, acquaintances and the people with whom you work. Who are you around?
Secondly, what effect are they having on you? What are you doing when you’re with these folks? What activities are you engaged in? What do you talk about? What do you think about?
The last question is the big one. The moment of truth. The final assessment. Is that okay?
When looking at whether or not it’s okay, here’s the benchmark I use: Is this person supporting and expanding my ability to create the desired results in my life? Is he or she helping me to realize my full potential and live the life of my dreams? For some people in our lives, the answer is clearly “yes”. But if you’re not sure, then it’s time to take a closer look at these relationships.
Your initial impression might be there are no undesirable relationships in your life. But the fact of the matter is, for some people the only thing standing between them and success is a new set of friends! The world is full of “dream stealers”—people whose purpose in life is tell you all the reasons your idea won’t work, or why your

goal is unrealistic, or that your chosen path is too risky.
The sooner you eliminate these destructive relationships, the better. If it is not possible, or too awkward, to discontinue the relationship, then at least minimize it. Rather than going out to lunch every day with your energy-draining, pessimistic colleague, restrict your contact to business matters only. If you finally realize the negative effect your friend or a relative is having on you, then reduce your contact with him or her. Don’t be mean, and don’t reject them as people. Just move away from them.
Part 2 of this article will examine specific ways to surround yourself with success. The old adage “If you want to be successful, study everything that successful people do, and do the same thing”, though oversimplified, is true. And surrounding yourself with winners--with supportive, successful people--will rapidly accelerate the pace with which you achieve your goals.

About The Author

Brian Bartes is a top personal and business success coach. His bi-weekly newsletter is filled with strategies that support you in achieving greater success in your personal and professional life. Subscribe today at his website, http://www.lifeexcellence.com. This article may be used with the author’s name and website included. Please email a link or forward a copy of the publication if published.

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