7 Types of People Successful People Avoid

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?

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7 Types of People Successful People Avoid

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!

Learn How to Start a BlogWe 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!

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  • Jared Easley says:

    Thank you for the mention Ellory. I always appreciate our mastermind conversations! I will see you in Dallas my friend.

    • Ellory Wells says:

      You’re very welcome Jared! You’re Easley to coolest Jared I know =)

      It looks like I’ll be in Dallas for several days thanks to Cliff’s meetup. Now I just need to find a place to stay! See you in a few weeks!

  • Jared Easley says:

    Thank you for the mention Ellory. I always appreciate our mastermind conversations! I will see you in Dallas my friend.

    • Ellory Wells says:

      You’re very welcome Jared! You’re Easley to coolest Jared I know =)

      It looks like I’ll be in Dallas for several days thanks to Cliff’s meetup. Now I just need to find a place to stay! See you in a few weeks!

  • Dan Erickson says:

    Great list of types of people to avoid, Ellory. What do we do when we can’t avoid them because they are an office mate, an old friend, or even a relative?

    • Ellory Wells says:

      Thank you Dan and great question!

      What are you thoughts and suggestions on avoiding those types of people?

    • Ellory Wells says:

      Dan, here are a few more thoughts:

      You avoid them through minimizing your interaction with them and the time spent with them.

      I know a guy who is always the debby-downer. He’s never in a good mood unless he’s talking about the Dallas Cowboys. Which doesn’t even make sense given that he’s not even from Texas.

      Talk about the things these people get happy about and get out.

      With family, I think it’s similar. I’d bet most of us have family members who we’re not too fond of, for some reason or another. Limit how much time you spend with them. If you can’t do that, try to steer the conversations away from what makes them “toxic”.

      In ten years, I hope none of us looks back and says, “Man, I would have accomplished my dreams, but I spent too much time hanging out with that skeptical Aunt Susie.”

      Family is family, but not all family is good for us.

  • Dan Erickson says:

    Great list of types of people to avoid, Ellory. What do we do when we can’t avoid them because they are an office mate, an old friend, or even a relative?

    • Ellory Wells says:

      Thank you Dan and great question!

      What are you thoughts and suggestions on avoiding those types of people?

    • Ellory Wells says:

      Dan, here are a few more thoughts:

      You avoid them through minimizing your interaction with them and the time spent with them.

      I know a guy who is always the debby-downer. He’s never in a good mood unless he’s talking about the Dallas Cowboys. Which doesn’t even make sense given that he’s not even from Texas.

      Talk about the things these people get happy about and get out.

      With family, I think it’s similar. I’d bet most of us have family members who we’re not too fond of, for some reason or another. Limit how much time you spend with them. If you can’t do that, try to steer the conversations away from what makes them “toxic”.

      In ten years, I hope none of us looks back and says, “Man, I would have accomplished my dreams, but I spent too much time hanging out with that skeptical Aunt Susie.”

      Family is family, but not all family is good for us.

  • Juana_Storm says:

    I am going to finish the article but to stop at liars a tidbit. I never really kept any friends because I was never one to tell you something is good when it was really bad. Because of this people never really liked to ask my opinion and they never really kept me close either. I considered nodding my head and lying about something but truth be told I much rather to be by myself than pleasing people just to have friends who only encourage you to spend your money on foolishness anyways. “If I can survive being brook I can survive without those types of friends who like liars.” Liars and “crabs in a bucket” get the same rating in my book. People will tell you anything to keep you from reaching your goal. The key is to know exactly who you are and where you a going. Don’t be derailed by anyone.

  • Juana_Storm says:

    I am going to finish the article but to stop at liars a tidbit. I never really kept any friends because I was never one to tell you something is good when it was really bad. Because of this people never really liked to ask my opinion and they never really kept me close either. I considered nodding my head and lying about something but truth be told I much rather to be by myself than pleasing people just to have friends who only encourage you to spend your money on foolishness anyways. “If I can survive being brook I can survive without those types of friends who like liars.” Liars and “crabs in a bucket” get the same rating in my book. People will tell you anything to keep you from reaching your goal. The key is to know exactly who you are and where you a going. Don’t be derailed by anyone.

  • kentsanders says:

    Great thoughts, Ellory! It is so true that the people you are around influence you more than you think. I have definitely enjoyed our writer’s group meetings because they keep me focused and positive.

  • kentsanders says:

    Great thoughts, Ellory! It is so true that the people you are around influence you more than you think. I have definitely enjoyed our writer’s group meetings because they keep me focused and positive.

  • Paul Martin says:

    Finally got to read it…and I love the first line! I’ve definitely had “toxic” people in my life; one being my business partner for the last 12 years…yep, OUCH! That was a tough one to overcome, but it has made me a MUCH stronger person, and I tend to speak my mind more, which is good and bad. But hey… Add #8 – Immature People! 🙂

  • Paul Martin says:

    Finally got to read it…and I love the first line! I’ve definitely had “toxic” people in my life; one being my business partner for the last 12 years…yep, OUCH! That was a tough one to overcome, but it has made me a MUCH stronger person, and I tend to speak my mind more, which is good and bad. But hey… Add #8 – Immature People! 🙂

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