You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.
I read this once. It was from Robin Sharma... not sure if it was his original thought or he quoted someone else. But that doesn't really matter.
As soon as I let that sink in I realized how powerful that thought may become. The scary part was - at that time I was not happy at all about the 5 people. Back then I spent in average 10 hours at work and looking around I did not want to become the average of 5 of my co-workers (especially my boss!).
So that thought was one of the many that triggered big changes in my life. I finally started looking at my life from a completely different angle. Changing the people around me changed eventually changed almost everything.
I saw and realized things that I never really thought about before. It started a process that eventually became irreversible... and ended up with resignation and a completely new journey.
So now let's think about the following...
Why do people spend more time choosing their toothpaste brand in the supermarket than choosing who they spend the most time with?
Why do we end up thinking that "it is what it is" and you don't have a choice? Some people don't even think that they can change their careers, lifestyle, habits, etc...
For ages I felt like I did not fit in. For many many years I spent my time with people, who did not understand me. Have been to many family gatherings, corporate team buildings, week end getaways... where I felt completely out of place.
I have had many occasions when I felt the sharp ping of feeling lonely, although I was not alone and was surrounded by many people.
It's all about finding the right 5 people that I mentioned in the beginning of this post. The people, who will push you to grow. Those who will make you feel comfortable. People, who will provoke thoughts and ask the right questions. Those who will feel comfortable with my weird self and not expect me to change. Those who appreciate me the way I am and spending time with whom I will only get better.
I have already done a lot. I have eliminated all those people I don't want to be the average of. Now I am doing my best to find and hold on to those 5 people I'd prefer to become.
What about you?
Who are your 5 people?