There's a common phrase which I am confident most of you have already heard. It talks about who you choose as your friends and they type of person you choose to surround you. There's certainly some truth to the idea and we may take another post to look more in-depth at the psychology involved. My question is simple - are you surrounded by the right people? When you look at those people which which you associate and with who you spend the majority of your time have you asked yourself if they are helping you? Do they keep you from your goals or do they encourage and motivate you to accomplish them? Here are 5 types of people I recommend having in your inner circle.
Someone Slower Than You
Before you start thinking I started off harsh allow me to clarify. I don't mean someone slower in a negative sense. Slowness can also refer to someone being more deliberate. I know for myself this person is one of my most valued friends. I'm a quick person. I move quick, I think quick and (regretfully at times) I move quick. Moving quick can be a positive trait but can also be extremely detrimental. There is immense value in the person who weighs their options, methodically approaches a situation and deliberately makes a decision. If you don't have someone slower than you then you need to find that person.
Someone Faster Than You
This one is much easier to accept than the previous one and if you're like me and naturally a quicker person this can be a fun relationship. More than likely you will already have someone who moves equally fast and helps to push you. Moving fast involves being willing to take action, to analyze a situation and make a decision quickly. When time is of the essence and a delay could be potentially disastrous having someone faster than you is an invaluable asset.
Someone Smarter Than You
It can be challenging to feel like the dumbest person in the room. In fact it can be downright humiliating, however if you include someone smarter than you in your inner circle and those people who influence you most then you will find a challenge to encourage you to keep thinking, keep growing, keep learning. Someone smarter means they may have the answer to the question you have, they may know the technology you want to learn and can help you learn quicker. Best of all they motivate you to not remain stagnant but keep striving to be smarter.
Someone Nicer Than You
There are certain people who are naturally more caring, more generous, and more thoughtful than the average. These rare and gifted individuals can be a wonderful influence on you. They'll share their compassion with you and help you be more aware of the needs of others around you. Be sure you have someone nicer in the people who surround you. They'll help keep you grounded in those things which really matter and will encourage you to take more time to realize the greater needs which surround you. This will greatly change your outlook on life and affect your goals.
Someone Happier Than You
The last type of person I'm going to recommend you surround yourself by is the person who is happier than you. We all know the person, they seem to always have a smile on their face and a twinkle in their eye. I will be one of the first to admit there are days when this person is more difficult to be around then others. There's some days where the dark clouds hang low and I simply don't want to see someone's toothy grin. However, even on those dark days there's some power in their personality. No matter how low I may feel I miss them if they aren't around. As the corny expression goes, "A smile goes miles." These 5 personality types should absolutely be included in the people you associate with and surround you. Here's one last takeaway. You'll naturally gravitate to like-minded people. You'll be in your comfort zone when you spend time with people that are like you. While there is nothing wrong with that. You'll be far better if you stretch yourself and round out your friend list. Connect with people and hold dear the differences in their personalities. Your friends are a reflection on you, and your inner circle of friends will shape you. Choose wisely.