Have you ever considered if the people in your inner circle are helping you advance in your career or if they’re actually holding you back from achieving your goals? The surprising thing is studies have shown that our lives are often the result of the 5 people we spend the most time with. If we were to take the average salary of the top 5 people you surround yourself with, chances are the average would be close to what you are currently earning.
Our inner circle has the biggest influence on us which is why we ought to pay close attention to who is giving us advice, especially if we are looking to level-up in life. Today, I’m sharing 3 important questions to help you decipher whether or not your people are helping you or holding you back as well as 3 crucial steps you can take to change it.
- How does your inner circle make you feel? Do you leave every conversation feeling encouraged or exhausted? Do they inspire you to go after your goals and do they have goals themselves? Have they achieved something in life that you haven’t? Are they moving through challenges or are they seemingly stuck playing the victim? We have the tendency, especially as women, to connect around negativity. It’s a sort of comfort when things aren’t going well to bond with others whose lives are also in disarray of some kind. However, while these experiences are relatable, they are not exactly going to propel us forward.
- What is their reaction when you share ambitious goals with them? Are your people excited for you and encouraging you to pursue your goals? Or do they give you reasons to doubt yourself? Some friends, and sadly even family members, can discourage us from dreaming bigger due to fear which is why it’s helpful to have mentors that can guide us in the direction we’d like to go.
- What is their spiritual background? Speaking of mentors, having one that shares your faith can make all the difference in the way you not only believe in your goals, but how you achieve them. Personally, I’ve had mentors in my own life who gave me advice that conflicted with my own beliefs. When you have people in your inner circle, it’s helpful that you also share the same faith. While it isn’t wrong to associate with people of different faiths, seeking guidance from them might conflict with what you believe.
If, after careful evaluation, you find that you may need to upgrade your inner circle, here are 3 steps to ensure you surround yourself with the right people:
- Stop spending time with people in your inner circle if they are negative. If your group isn’t moving you forward in life, it’s time to reconsider those relationships and connect with others on the same path as you.
- Get a new group. To find others going your way and to learn from those who’ve walked the path to greatness, join a mentorship or leadership group! At maryguirovich.com you can find a number of groups where you’ll find the support and guidance you need to advance in your career and, ultimately, in life! Join one today!
- Seek out a mentor. Find someone who is where you’d like to be and set up a meeting with them to pick their brain. Ask them your questions and find out how they achieved success in their endeavors. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate meeting, it could be something as simple as taking them out to lunch.
At the end of the day, do consider the positions that the people in your circle are in. If they aren’t concerned with advancing in life, chances are they won’t encourage you toward it either.
