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"Il est vraiment vrai que l'on devient la moyenne des personnes avec lesquelles on passe le plus de temps."

Sam Altman
Sam Altman Entrepreneur
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The idea here is pretty straightforward: the people you hang out with the most have a big impact on who you are and who you become. It’s like, if you’re constantly around people who are always learning, pushing their limits, and being positive, it's going to be hard for you not to pick up some of those habits. On the flip side, if your main crew is always negative, lazy, or not ambitious, well, that’s going to rub off on you too.

Historically, this idea has been around for ages. Think about ancient philosophers like Confucius and Aristotle. They both emphasized the importance of community and the influence of those around us. But this isn’t just dusty old wisdom. It’s relevant today, too. With social media and constant connectivity, who we choose to follow and interact with can shape our perspectives and behaviors even more intensely.

Now, let’s talk about a real-life example. Picture a young professional named Alex. Alex works in marketing and has big dreams of moving up in the industry. Alex's close friends, however, are mostly content with their current jobs and don’t have much ambition to climb the corporate ladder. They often complain about their bosses and spend more time planning weekend getaways than thinking about their careers. If Alex continues to spend most of their time with this group, it’s likely that Alex might start to mirror these attitudes—maybe even start to feel stagnant.

But say Alex meets a new group of friends at a networking event. These folks are driven, always talking about the latest industry trends, sharing podcasts, and discussing strategies to excel in their careers. They invite Alex to seminars, and suddenly, Alex finds themselves amped up, learning more, and taking proactive steps in their career.

So, what’s the takeaway for you? Look around and think about your closest friends and associates. Are they the kind of people who inspire and challenge you to be better? If not, it might be time to seek out new circles that align more with who you want to become. This doesn’t mean you have to cut off your old friends completely—just be mindful of how much influence they have over you.

Imagine this scenario: You're trying to get fit. You’ve decided it's time to hit the gym more often, eat better, and generally adopt a healthier lifestyle. You’ve got a buddy, though, who loves junk food and hates working out. Every time you hang out, it’s pizza and Netflix. Tough to stick to those health goals, right? Now, picture finding a new friend at your gym who’s super into fitness. They invite you to a morning run, share healthy recipes, and before you know it, you're more motivated and see actual progress. Your buddy isn’t dragging you down, and you’re pushing each other to be better.

In essence, be mindful of your circle. Choose to spend more time with people who reflect the qualities you aspire to have. It’s not about abandoning old friends—it’s about balancing your influences. Your circle can lift you up or pull you down, so choose wisely.
Related tags
Habits Influence Mindset Motivation Peer influence Personal growth Relationships Self-improvement Social circle Success
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