“The size of the future you actually experience will largely be determined by one factor: the people you choose to connect with. When you invite people who are truly committed to growth into every aspect of your life, your own potential for growth becomes truly unlimited.” — Dan Sullivan
DayToppers’ Daily Message
You know, I don’t often talk about the one “hidden” factor that can make or break your success: who influences you.
Recently I read some interesting findings about how much influence there is among social groups when one person in the group stops smoking; a very high percentage of the other members in the group also subsequently stop smoking, too. The study then turned to people who successfully lost weight; others in their social group did too!
And you want to know the MOST surprising feature about that study? The connections did not need to be in person! People who were “influential” to group members might live many states away, and not even have had regular contact with the person whose attitudes were nevertheless affected by the habit change.
Now, I don’t know about you, but to me this was profoundly important information.
It means that you can be affected by people you know, who do not live with you — who do not even live NEAR you — and with whom you may not even have regular contact.
Think about that.
Exactly how are YOU being influenced, right now, this very minute, in subtle and invisible ways, by people within your social circles?
The influence might be good for you. Or it might not be.
One thing that I DO know from my years in business and as a business owner:
Who you hang with, will make or break you. If you want to upgrade your life, hang with the winners. Do not hang with wannabe’s — unless you are prepared to invest your time and energy in someone else’s projects instead of your own (usually without pay.)
Do not hang with nay-sayers, who will only bring you down and make you feel bad about yourself and your dreams. (And yes, sadly, this sometimes means family members who, well-meaning though they may be, do not know how much your success means to you or what the scope of your dream really looks like.) Limit your time with them all!
Do not hang with people who are up to no good. You know who I mean. Just stay away from them. Period.
Have the courage to reach up. Make a point to meet people playing a MUCH bigger game than you are right now. Meet and talk with people at the very pinnacle of their game — the real winners in life. And nurture and maintain those relationships.
These days, you can meet just about everyone — online. Here’s one example of what I mean. At a recent concert of Sweet Honey In The Rock, one of the singers was careful to invite everyone in the audience to send her an email via their web site! She really wants to connect with her fans.
Maya Angelou is one of my Facebook friends. So are some other “big name” folks that I want to learn from.
It’s said that there are 6 degrees of separation between you and any other person on the planet. If you know me (and you do because you’re reading this) you are just one person away from the Dalai Lama, who is one of my teachers.
So, you see, it’s not difficult.
You can connect with — be inspired by — and have access to — anyone you wish.
Choose someone much further along the path than you are.
Choose to make contact with — and get to know — people WAY above your level.
THIS is one of the “hidden secrets” to your success. It certainly has been one of mine.
Today, think of who you would love to meet.
Then go find them and connect.
I double-dog dare ya!
(You can thank me later. This one action has the power to change your life for the better. Forever. Really.)
P.S. Some of the people at the top? They are very nice gals and guys, and more generous with their time than you might imagine.
P.P.S. When you get to the top of YOUR game, don’t forget what it was like to be “the little guy” — and be willing to give something back, by reaching down the ladder a rung or two and give someone a hand up like your mentors did for you. It all starts with you asking and reaching up a rung or two or three (or more.)
Just do it! And be prepared, at some stage of it, to give something back to your mentors, too. Think of ways that you could help THEM! They love that. Make it a two-way street, and the energy flow will start to magnify and carry you to places you cannot begin to imagine.