You are what you….

Here is a quick quiz: Sit down right now and write down the names of the five people that you spend the most time with. Go! Don’t overthink it! Work or home, it doesn’t matter how you know them.

I’ve heard it quoted by many, and I know it is impossible to prove. But the fact is, the more time you spend with anyone or anything, the more like it you become. So, who are you choosing to spend the most time with? Let’s look at your list of five. Take each person on that list and ask the following question: Do they (A) pull you up, (B) pull you down, or (C) not pull you?

If you answered B or C, there’s a pretty good chance that your situation in life, whether it is your job or your personal life, is not set to improve based on that particular relationship. Perhaps it’s time to look for people who will encourage you and pull you up.

Or maybe you already have good folks around you. If that’s the case, I would encourage you to have an intentional conversation with them about the ways you want to grow personally and professionally. If they are the kind of friend you think they are, they will be more than happy to help you reach those goals however they can.

Where do you hope to be in five years? Is there any reason to believe that what you are going to learn from those around you is going to help you get to that future version of yourself? Where are they going to be five years from now? If they are not strategically working for their situation to improve, how valuable can they be in helping you improve yours?

Changing your situation requires that you change the way you are doing things. Write this down: Growth and comfort cannot coexist.