You are the sum...

Name the five people you spend the most time with- NOT the people you admire the most, but who do you spend the majority of your time with?

Here's why I ask:

"You are the sum of the 5 people you spend the most time with"

• Your professional development, your income generally follows their pattern


• Your attitudes and beliefs will fall in line with these people.


• Even your health and weight will mirror those five people.

YIKES! I found myself peering obliquely at the people in my life, and pondering "Do I WANT to be like you?"

Look carefully at the people you just listed. Seriously, Do their lives reflect who you aspire to be?

• Are they dead-ends or business superstars?


• Do they pull your attitudes up or down?


• Are they callous and negative, or saints in skin?


• Are they healthy, or are they headed for a heart attack and taking you with them?

This e-newsletter relates to healthy living so let me be more pointed:

• Do you surround yourself with exercisers or couch-potatoes?


• Do they overindulge or eat moderately?


• Is healthy living a non-negotiable value?


• Do they eat fast food and junk food more than occasionally?
  

Think through the lifestyle related diseases afflicting your inner circle

• Diabetes


• Heart disease


• Obesity


• High blood pressure


• High cholesterol
  

So what if you don't like what you see to your right and left?
It's time to evaluate what's are your non-negotiable values, and where you want to go. Seek out mentors and relationships that mirror your goals and adjust with whom you invest your life and time.

Some people you can't remove from influence- they are related to you, perhaps.
In that case, You need to see that for what it is and pay attention to the influence they could have and be intentional to seek out other mentors in your life.
Understand, you are also part of THEIR sum as well. Make it a positive influence!

I'm glad to say I hang with some people about whom I could actually say I am challenged to live up to them in one area or another.
Who are you the sum of?