Who You Surround Yourself With Matters

Have you ever wondered how you became the person you are? Was it nature or nurture, was it fate?

We don't live in a vacuum The people, events and things around us have an effect on what we do, how much we achieve, and, ultimately, who we become.

Last week one of my clients took me out to lunch. I don't often get to meet my clients in person, even less often do I get to work with someone local, but today was an exception. In exchange for a New York strip steak, a loaded baked potato and a Caesar salad, I offered some advice to one of my youngest clients.

During our conversation, he told me that after attending Thrive: Make Money Matter at the end of 2016, he'd decided to quit his job, move back home, and pursue something meaningful. Actually, what he said was, “I'm tired of selling products for someone else.”

Related: 7 Types of People Successful People Avoid

While some people might think he's being irresponsible by quitting his job and moving back home, I think he's being quite courageous. I mean, how many of us are willing to give up cash flow, the independence of living on our own, and the status symbols that go with both to pursue something worth pursuing?

In addition to shaking off the golden handcuffs, my client told me that he's being extremely intentional about who he spends time with. He said “good-bye” to the parties with college-aged friends, and “hello” to building his business, recruiting sponsors, and having lunch with other entrepreneurs.

My client realized, at the age of 22, that who you surround yourself with matters.

I've seen it time and time again – if you hang out with fitness people, you'll start getting into fitness. If you hang out with podcasters, you'll think that podcasting is what you need to get into. If you're the outdoors-y type, you probably hang out with other outdoors-y types.

Regardless of if they're fitness freaks, vegan eaters, gamers or social drinkers, we become the average of our friends. It's impossible to spend any significant amount of time with someone and not have them influence us, and, over time, our interests, habits and behaviors begin to meld.

As Gandhi said, be the change you want to see in the world. And, remember, you can't make a positive change with a negative attitude. Surround yourself with the right people, and focus on making yourself someone worth being around.

Question: Who do you need to add to your sphere of influence? As equally important, who do you need to remove?