Jim Rohn often said, “You are the average of the 5 people with whom you spend the most time.”
Think about that for a minute. With whom do you surround yourself most frequently? And if you are essentially their average, are you o.k. with that?
Maybe it’s the anticipation of spring, but I tend to relate this concept to a flower bed. Rarely do you see a garden patch where one flower thrives and all the others surrounding it have withered. Those planted next to each other, experiencing a similar environment, tend to grow at a similar rate. They share nutrients, support each other’s needs for growth (like sunlight), and find strength – from elements like wind – through the group. With proper care and attention, they thrive.
Consider your coworkers, colleagues, even friends. Do you serve each other in a similar way?
In their profound book Repacking Your Bags, authors Richard Leider & David Shapiro call these “nutritious people”: people who genuinely “feed” our souls and nurture the deepest parts of us. When surrounded by them, we thrive.
This month, pay attention to those with whom you spend the most time. Make sure your Circle of 5 includes cheerleaders, role models, and people with qualities to which you aspire. Think of them as your own personal garden of growth: “feed” each other positivity, support one another by sharing resources and ideas, and enjoy the strength you gain as a group.
With a powerful Circle of 5 in your corner, you stand stronger when on your own, too.
Who do you include in your Circle of 5? Share your ideas below!