Are You Surrounded by Crabs? How a Change In Environment Impacts Our Future

There are people in your life that do not have your best interest in mind. They get jealous of your success, they get bitter about your personal development, and they try to keep you from moving forward.

If everyone in our lives had our best interest in mind, wouldn't that be wonderful?

However, that is not the case.

The reality is, not everyone will handle your success well. The reality is, some people will see your win as a loss for them.

So, what does that have to do with crabs?

Read on and let's find out!

I've been told that when you put several crabs into a bucket, you don't have to watch them. You don't have to fear that any will get out or escape. You can go about your business because, it turns out, crabs are vindictive little S.O.B.s.

If a crab tries to reach for the sky and gain its freedom, the other crabs will pull it down, preventing its escape.

A goal-oriented, freedom loving, determined crab will never be successful because of the other crabs around it.

Sound familiar?

I hope it doesn't.

If it does sound familiar, or if you're simply looking to escape the confines of your current situation, I have an insight for you.

We are the average of the five people we hang around the most.” – Napoleon Hill

Sometimes you have to change your environment.

Unlike the crabs in our story, we have control.

We have a say in where we live and where we go. You and I control how we spend our time and where we spend it.

We can choose to stay in a negative atmosphere, or we can choose an environment that is positive and uplifting.

You are the master of your destiny. You can influence, direct and control your own environment. You can make your life what you want it to be.” – Think and Grow Rich

Sometimes you have to change yourself.

You can't get where you're going by staying where you are. You cannot steal second with your foot on first. You can't cross the ocean without leaving the shore.

In order to change your life, you have to start by changing yourself.

You have to commit yourself to a path of personal development and stick to it. You have to put one foot in front of the other and do something day by day, every day.

Most lottery winners go broke because they don't change themselves. (I wrote a cool What If Wednesday about winning the lottery. Check it out!)

Changing ourselves could be as simple as learning how to be more productive, or as intensive as changing our daily habits.

Helen Keller became deaf, dumb, and blind shortly after birth. Despite her greatest misfortune, she has written her name indelibly in the pages of history of the great. Her entire life has served as evidence that no one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as reality.” – Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich

Sometimes you have to change your friends.

Who do you hang out with? Do you associate with people who are positive and future focused? Or do you hang around with people who are victims and with a focus on the past?

Life is challenging. The more good you're trying to do, the more Resistance you will face (Read more about Resistance here).

You can't make a positive change with a negative attitude (TWEET THAT!)

While I'm certain that nothing great has ever been achieved alone, I'm also certain that nothing great has ever been achieved by someone who surrounds himself by negativity.

Notice I said “surrounds himself.” The company you keep is not only a reflection of who you are, but it is also an indicator of what you will be able to accomplish in life.

If you're surrounded by friends who are always complaining, always talking about what they can't do, it may be time to find new friends.

On the other hand, if you keep the company of people who are always improving, constantly trying better themselves and do the right thing, you're surely to go far in life.

Question: Do you agree that we are a reflection of who we spend time with? Was this article on point? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below by clicking here!