"You measure yourself by the people who measure themselves by you"

At its core, this quote is all about the company you keep and the mutual influence you have on each other. It suggests that your self-worth and success can be gauged by looking at those who look up to you. If the people who admire you are striving, growing, and accomplishing great things, it reflects positively on you because you're part of their journey and they see you as a benchmark or inspiration.

Historically, this idea comes from the notion that we are often the average of the five people we spend the most time with. Think about the influential circles of great minds throughout history—like the group of writers and poets known as the Bloomsbury Set, or the tech innovators of Silicon Valley. They didn't just grow in isolation; they pushed each other forward, measuring their progress in part by the strides their peers made.

Let’s dive into a vivid, real-life example. Consider the story of Serena Williams. An incredible tennis player, no doubt. But part of what makes her exceptional is her sister, Venus Williams. They measure themselves by each other. When one wins a Grand Slam, the other is spurred to train harder, to do better. They’re both great because they’re constantly pushing each other to new heights. Serena’s achievements don’t exist in a vacuum—they are intertwined with Venus’s efforts and vice versa.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by curating your circle. Surround yourself with people who are not just good at what they do, but who are also ambitious, kind, and willing to grow. These individuals will look to you as you look to them. You’ll push each other to be better. Maybe it's that friend who’s always working on a new project, or a mentor who’s reached heights you aspire to. They measure their success by your progress too, creating a loop of mutual improvement.

Imagine you’re part of a startup. You and your co-founders are in a garage, coding day and night. You measure your progress not by the giants of the industry—at least not initially—but by each other’s milestones. When one of you breaks through a tough coding problem, it’s a win for everyone. Your collective triumphs and setbacks become the yardstick by which you measure yourselves. It’s that shared journey and mutual admiration that propels you all forward.

In more everyday terms, think about your group of friends. If they’re people who volunteer, strive for new challenges, and constantly seek self-improvement, chances are, you’ll find yourself doing the same. You won’t want to be the one who’s not pulling their weight. Conversely, if your friends are content with mediocrity, you might find it harder to push yourself.

So, here’s the takeaway, like you and I are just chatting over coffee: Look around. Who’s measuring themselves by you? And who are you measuring yourself against? Make sure these are people who inspire you and whom you inspire in return. That’s how you build a life that’s continually moving forward, rich with growth and achievement.