Have you ever spent an evening with a friend who managed to turn every positive emotion and high note into something dark and negative? You probably walked away feeling mentally drained, soured, and maybe a bit angry. Conversely, spending time with people who lift you up inspire you to conquer the world leaves you walking away with renewed energy and improved perspective.
Relationships, personal or business, are never easy, but they can be a necessary component to a successful growth strategy. Every person you surround yourself with has a role to play in your continued success and growth. Your self-worth shouldn’t be dependent on others, but incredible things are rarely accomplished alone. The right people help.
Any inner circle that is filled with like-minded people can stagnate your personal development. When you are surrounded by people who only agree with you, you do feel a level of security. Unfortunately, that security doesn’t push you expand your horizons. It doesn’t challenge your thoughts. If everyone in your network has the same opinion, what do you learn? Nothing.
Differing perspectives force you to think about possibilities, truths, or alternatives that have not readily come to your mind. Some relationships we have will form at an early age. In many cases, we may stay friends with people from high school or college. But life happens and we change. Our goals change. We evolve. It can be a stark realization that the friends we grew to know and trust may not understand our new path or journey. You can still be friends but spending a lot of time with people who are not excited about your success can hinder you more than help you.
The people you spend the most time with should:
- Make you a better person
- Support your goals
- Believe in what you have to offer
- Drive you to change
- Inspire you
- Help you transform
7 Vital Relationships That Can Help Boost Your Success
The Dreamer
Some dreamers may be unrealistic or undisciplined, but they can also be one of your most insightful visionaries. They think of things that others do not. They help you imagine what if. You feel life’s vitality when you are around them. Dreamers have a strong tendency to be highly creative and they make you believe that everything is possible.
The Planner
The planner helps you bring your dream to reality. They understand the big picture, but they have the unique talent to break it down into actionable steps. They are results-oriented, decisive, direct and pragmatic. They may fall to the practical side, but they know how to get things done and thrive on the thrill of the challenge.
The Beacon
The beacon is your personal cheerleader and your voice of inspiration. They are there to cheer you on in high times and shine the light of hope to pick you up in low times. They help you understand that goals should be tied to your higher purpose. Their passion infuses you with energy and enthusiasm.
The Safe Haven
This is the true friend – the one with whom you can let your guard down and will provide your greatest support in times of need. They are your comfort zone and your sanctuary. When you feel the need to retreat from life, they provide your temporary respite. This person will be there with you as you journey through life and they will walk that journey with you. Never judging, never questioning, but always supporting.
The Believer
When you feel self-doubt and fear seeping into your mind, the believer reminds you that you should let your faith in yourself be stronger than your doubts. The believer provides the extra dose of courage and confidence when you need a boost. They remind you of your past successes and help you set the stage for future achievements.
The Grinder
This is the person who hustles and grinds and refuses to accept defeat. They can act as a benchmark for your victory because they have put a significant amount of effort into their own success. That doesn’t mean that you must follow in their exact footsteps, but they can share insights into how they’ve overcome obstacles that have hindered them. They will also push you to succeed when you don’t think you have anything left to give.
The Devil’s Advocate
This person is the critical thinker. They ask questions and lots of them. They see problems before they arise. This person is crucial because you need their perspective. They won’t sugarcoat it. They’re blunt, but they will look out for you. You may not always like what they have to say, but they are often the voice of reason.
To sum it up:
- A dreamer will help you dream it.
- A planner will turn dreams into reality.
- A beacon will inspire you every step of the way.
- A safe haven will never leave your side, through good and bad times.
- The believer will help you keep the self-doubt at a distance.
- The grinder won’t allow you to accept defeat.
- A devil’s advocate will cut through the nonsense and tell you the real deal.
Be persistent with surrounding yourself with people who bring out the best in you. Be relentless in having a network of people who constantly challenge you as much as you challenge yourself.
Remarkable people beget remarkable people.
