7 Types of People Successful People Avoid

Have you ever met someone who was “toxic?” Not every personality type is one that you should keep around.

Have you ever met someone who was “a little too happy?” Not every world-view will help you and I become successful people.

If you agree with Napoleon Hill when he says that our personalities and levels of personal growth are influenced by the people we do hang out with, don't we also have to agree there are certain types of people we should not hang out with?

Want to listen? There's an audio version below

I wrote a blog post a while back outlining how relationships are like water. In that post, I shared my belief that some relationships help guide us and move us forward, others push and challenge us to be better while other relationships try to keep us “unmoving”.

We also talked about the example of crabs in a bucket. More specifically, how crabs, though quite delicious when dipped in lemon butter, are pretty nasty when it comes to keeping one another from climbing out of their prisons and gaining their freedom.

When it comes to personal development and pursuing our goals, we know that it's not enough to focus only on what we should do. We know there are things we have to stop doing also.

The same truth applies to our relationships.

Successful people know how important it is to surround themselves with success-oriented and purpose-minded people. They also know it's equally vital to avoid some types of people at all costs.

To help us both become more successful, I've come up with

7 Types of People Successful People Avoid

1: Downers

You know the type; the people who would complain even on the most perfect of days?

The people who always complain and share everything that is going wrong or falling apart in their lives? I can't be around those kinds of people for very long, and I'm sure you can't either. That type of negativity will slowly start to bring you down too.

Successful people avoid downers at all costs.

2: “I can do it all” people

You can't do it all. No, you really can't.

If you believe that you have a purpose in life, and I believe that you do, you can't believe that your purpose is to do it all.

People who think they can do everything usually accomplish nothing. (TWEET THAT!)

Focus on what you were put on this earth to do and become the best you can be at it. Don't dilute the potency of your gifts by trying to do it all.

3: Liars

Some people lie. If you lie, you are a liar. I hate lies and the damage they cause.

If you surround yourself with people who lie to you, success will never become your truth (TWEET THAT!)

This also includes people who only tell you what they think you want to hear. If you can't get an honest opinion or feedback from those closest to you, you will never become successful.

Successful people don't surround themselves with liars.

4: People with an unrealistic outlook

Life isn't always pretty. You have to break a few eggs to make an omelet.

Successful people don't stick their heads in the sand and hope things will work out alright. Hope is not a plan and life is not a Disney movie!

We have to work hard for every win we accumulate in life and nothing is given for free. There is a price for everything and there is certainly a price for success. If the people around you don't possess a realistic outlook, find people who do.

As Jim Collins wrote in Good to Great, “one of the single most de-motivating actions you can take is to hold out false hopes, soon to be swept away by events.”

He also wrote, “It is impossible to make good decisions without infusing the entire process with an honest confrontation of the brutal facts.”

You don't have to become a pessimist, but you do have to be realistic.

5: Skeptics

Skepticism is like salt, you need enough to make things taste good, but too much ruins the recipe. (TWEET THAT!)

If you're overly optimistic, you'll never face facts. If you're overly pessimistic, you might not even get out of bed in the morning. Life is tough enough; you don't need to hang around with skeptics.

6: Doubters

You really don't need doubters in your life and with you on your journey of success. In fact, one of my good friends, Jared Easley, started a podcast to specifically help people starve their doubts.

If you're like me, you already have enough self-doubt; you don't need anyone adding to it.

7: Unsuccessful People

Success begets success. You have to build and maintain your momentum if you're ever going to achieve your goals and live the life you were meant to live.

But don't mistake people who have failed for people who are unsuccessful. Did Michael Jordan make every shot he took? I don't think so.

There is a difference between failing and being a failure. Surround yourself with people who are always trying, always improving and always moving forward. Don't surround yourself with people who have an unsuccessful mindset.

Not everyone is meant for your inner circle. Guard your mind like it is one of your most valuable possessions – because it is.

Question: Who do you surround yourself with? Who do you avoid? Tell me about the council you keep in the comments section below by clicking here!