Are You Aware of Your Surroundings?

I asked this question in two different workshops today and basically received the same overall answer. The question was: How can we continue to keep a productive and success-driven mindset on a daily basis? The answer that was given? Control the way we think. In taking it a step further I asked: What are some of the ways in which we can control the way we think? The most popular answer? Surround ourselves with other people who know the value of "right thinking".

There is an old saying that came to mind. "You can't expect to fly with the eagles if you continue to hang out with the turkeys!" As funny as it sounds, there is a huge element of truth here. The people and places that we allow to surround us can have a profound effect on the way we think. Notice the operative words are "that we allow". We may not have been able to control when and where we were born, who our parents are, or even where we lived. But, we can control the way we react and how we can think about it all going forward. That includes the influences that we allow to take root in our lives.

To put it very simply, we need to find those people who have demonstrated the right thinking -- usually evident in the fruits of the success they've achieved -- and spend time talking with them and most importantly, learning from them.

Over the next few days, make a simple two-column list. In the first column write down the names of people who you believe have demonstrated positive and successful thinking. These are the people who energize you and make you feel better about yourself whenever they happen to be around. In the second column write down the names of the people who are perpetually negative or seem to bring a dark cloud with them wherever they go. Now honestly ask yourself; "where am I spending the majority of my time." Is it time to make some adjustments in your surroundings?

It has been said that everyone has the ability to light up a room -- some when they enter, and some when they leave. Which one are you? Which one do want to be?

If you intentionally work to change your surroundings, you may just change your future. I wish you great success -- and maybe we can hang out sometime.