You’ve probably heard over a dozen times before that you’re the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. The reason why this saying is thrown around a lot is that it couldn’t be more true — the people you spend time with eventually rub off on you.
That being said, you must surround yourself with only the best types of people if you’re serious about your personal growth. Here are 5 different types we recommend you keep close for leveling up in every aspect of your life:
1. THE BOLD FRIEND
People who seem to always be doing the boldest things tend to be some of the most courageous people out there. Whether it’s taking the chance to make a bold ask to an investor or not being afraid to be authentically themselves on their social media page, these types of people have unquestionable levels of confidence.
The courage to be bold is something that may take time to develop, but if you can have someone in your entourage that is consistently taking big actions confidently, they may eventually start to inspire you to do the same.
2. THE OPTIMISTIC FRIEND
Listen, not everything in life has a bright side. Sometimes life is just really hard, and it’s okay to talk about that. But more often than not, we have all types of opportunities that are right under our noses that we don’t even realize are there because we’re so focused on the negative side. An optimist friend may help you look for the positive in crappy situations, and they will also help you work out your optimism muscle. Optimism, just like any other way of thinking, is something that can be learned. But to learn it, you need to be exposed to it and practice it consistently.
3. THE ROLE MODEL FRIEND
Whatever it is you want to accomplish in life, there’s someone out there that has already done it. They have the blueprint! Identify these types of people and make sure to keep them close. They will be able to give you advice, tips, and insight that no one else may be able to give you if they haven’t climbed the same mountain you are trying to climb. Plus, there’s nothing more motivating when things get tough than to look at the people who went through the same obstacles and see how they got through it.
4. THE FRIEND ON A SIMILAR JOURNEY
When you’re leveling up, it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and lose sight of what’s important. When you have someone close to you that is on a similar journey as you, it makes the journey a lot less lonely — also a lot more productive. You can hold each other accountable and motivated, and you will be able to lean on each other in the tougher times.
5. THE INNOVATOR FRIEND
Surrounding yourself with innovative thinkers and creative individuals can inspire you to think outside the box, push boundaries, and explore new possibilities. Innovators bring fresh ideas, challenge the status quo, and encourage continuous learning and improvement. Their enthusiasm for innovation can drive you to stay ahead of the curve and embrace change.
Remember that proximity is power, and you get to choose who you let into your inner circle. Be sure to choose people with healthy and empowering behaviors and you’re guaranteed to reach new heights.