You Become Like the People You Spend The Most Time With

Every time I hear that I get chills and immediately do an inventory of who I'm spending time with. Thankfully, the people I spend the most time with happen to be family who are always doing their best to be encouraging and uplifting, but even they come with challenges sometimes. However, being a very introverted introvert means I don't get long exposures to other people, so I find ways to make sure that positive, uplifting people are always in my inner circle.

Who are the people you spend the most time with in your life?

Consider the types of individuals these people are. What types of personality traits do they exhibit? Do they behave in ways that bring positivity to your life? These are important questions to consider because the people you associate with most can have a great deal of influence on your personality and your overall well-being. Keep reading to learn more about this concept and how to make changes if you’re not happy with the current company you’re keeping.
 
The Company You Keep
It was businessman Jim Rohn who once famously said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” It makes sense that you would absorb some of the traits and attitudes of those around you. They say complaining is contagious. Have you ever noticed that you find yourself grumpy and negative when you’re around a constant complainer? The same can be true of positivity. When spending significant time with people who are encouraging and supportive, you’ll likely find yourself exhibiting similar qualities.
 
Assess Your Surroundings
First, assess your most common company. Who are the five people you spend the most time with? Write them down. Once you have your list, ask yourself some questions about these individuals. Consider what each person’s typical demeanor is like. Are they successful in their careers and goals? Do they pursue opportunities for regular growth? Are they supportive when you’re going through difficult times? Do they encourage you to be your best self? Taking an assessment such as this of the people you surround yourself with most frequently will give you an idea as to whether you need to make some changes.

No matter how hard you try to surround yourself with uplifting people, there are probably at least one or two toxic individuals in your life. We all have them. Sometimes we choose these people, only to realize later that they’re harmful. Other times, we’re put into situations where we have to deal with difficult people such as family members or co-workers. It can seem impossible to break away from certain individuals, but it may be in your best interest to do so. 

Seek Improvement
You should now have a general assessment of which people are building you up and which may be holding you back. This assessment requires brutal honesty on your part, but it’s an investment worth making. Be open to change and feel free to make adjustments as you see fit. You can start by making dates to spend more time with the people who are your greatest influences and begin distancing yourself from the negative ones. Or you can make more drastic cuts if there are individuals who are truly toxic. The important thing is to be aware of how the people around you are impacting your life and to take steps to surround yourself with more positive folks.

If you don't have immediate access or know other people who can be a positive influence in your life, follow some on social media. These can be people who are doing great things in the world that you admire; follow motivational speakers who impart positivity and lift you up; or those who are doing things that you aspire to do.
 
You’ll start to notice a difference in your life as you make these changes. Surrounding yourself with uplifting people lightens your mood, helps to improve your self-esteem and increases your motivation. You’ll simply feel better and more energized when you’re proactively choosing your inner circle.