Believe it or not, the company you keep matters. A lot.
If you’re constantly surrounded by pessimistic people, guess what, after a while even you start imitating them. This happens, unless you try very very hard to stay optimistic because negative behaviours can be learnt quickly.
There’s this concept of mirroring in psychology.
Where you learn or imitate the behaviour of people around you knowingly or unknowingly.
How can you use this to your advantage?
Well, it’s simple!
Be in company of people who inspire you, who support your growth and who guide you in the right direction, who trust you and bring out the best in you.
Now as they say –
You’re the average of five people you spend most of your time with
I’ll tell you which of the five people you should surround yourself with –
1. Be with people around whom you feel loved and valued.
This can be your parents, or your friends or your partner. Anyone with whom you feel loved and valued.
2. Be with someone who makes you laugh and enjoy little things. Someone who makes you smile and appreciates you.
This can be your sibling or your best friend.
3. Be with someone who trusts you and whom you can trust. No matter what, you know you guys have got each other’s back.
(Now speaking of these qualities, you might know at least one person with whom these qualities resonate. Someone who makes you smile, some other person whom you can trust completely, someone else who makes you feel loved, etc.)
4. Be with someone who inspires you and motivates you and brings out the best in you.
Okay so this person can be hard to find.
But let me tell you, it’s not necessary that these people should be someone you know personally or have met them. They can also be your role models.
Someone you look up to. Someone who you want to be like. Someone you deeply admire.
Now even if you surround yourself with the ideas, the principles, the values these people have implemented in their life, it works. You slowly start thinking like them, you try to imitate their principles in your own life.
And believe me, that improves your life!
Imagine you’re constantly watching everything about Oprah Winfrey, Swami Vivekananda, or Gary Vee (let’s say they are your role models) So you are watching many videos of them on YouTube, you’re watching their shows. You are reading about them, reading their books.
What will happen after some time?
Your thinking patterns will change, your attitude changes, your perception about things change, you start acting differently, you start growing.
5. Be with someone who can guide you in the right direction in difficult times.
This can be your “therapist” friend, a mentor or a actual therapist. Someone who helps you gain clarity about situations and helps you take the right decision.
I don’t know how many people will agree with me, but I’ve found books to guide me as well. Self help books and even some fantasy novels have great messages. I could relate to those characters and understand their life.
These people help you understand certain things, especially when you need it the most.
Be careful about whom you choose as this person because when you are sad, depressed or angry, it’s very easy for a wrong person to drag you into a wrong behaviour.
I have found this to work in my personal life.
The moment I started focusing on myself and setting healthy boundaries and surrounding myself with people who bring out the best in me, I’ve seen myself change in a very good way.
When I started reading more about inspiring people, gathering more information about them and started applying their tips for success, I felt great!
I felt like I’m learning from them and slowly applying that in my own life and seeing the results.
I also started choosing whom to spend most of my time with and I found I was much happier and satisfied with my life than before.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you to be picky and only choose the people whom you can benefit from, no! It’s good to have connection with different people, it’s nice to have them as your friends.
But, prioritise your time for those who really help you grow, who really matter. Because you have limited time.
Moral of the story – The company you keep matters. Choose the right people and see the drastic and quick improvement in your life.
Who are your role models? Do you “spend” more time with them? Do you feel the change in your mindset and actions?
Let me know in the comments below!!
Thank you for reading guys!❤️
Keep shining, keep smiling! 🙂
©Vrunda Chauk 2019
Vrunda Chauk 
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