People Are The Most Important Commodity

3 Ideas for Creating Your Inner Circle

Reflect on the individuals in your life who encourage you to do and be more than you might on your own. Imagine if you had twice the number of supporters cheering you on and celebrating your successes. As social beings, we thrive best when we experience a sense of belonging, community, and connection. This connection should be with those who uplift us and, when life knocks us down, help us rise again and move forward. Hopefully, you have such people in your life—those with whom you can safely share your struggles and dreams. These are the individuals you could call at any hour, those who have your back and care enough to give you honest feedback, even when it’s tough to hear. Trust is key.

The people you surround yourself with can either elevate or diminish your standards, broaden or limit your expectations, and enhance or weaken your faith in yourself. Greatness isn’t achieved alone; it’s the people around you who help you realize your full potential. So, who do you have in your circle? Here are three steps to help you cultivate the community you need to flourish on your journey. Be advised: each one will require a bit of courage.

Be someone others want to be with.

Your vibe attracts your community so be mindful. Be purposeful about showing up as the person you want to attract. How can you expect to draw in positive, proactive, and genuine individuals if you’re not embodying those qualities yourself? You can’t. Constantly complaining won’t magnetize go-getters, and obsessing over others’ opinions won’t attract free spirits. If you’re afraid to take risks, you won’t win over trailblazers. Being stingy with your time or money won’t draw in generous souls who live abundantly—or, if it does, they likely won’t stick around for long. However, if you commit to living authentically, speaking your truth, and uplifting those around you, you will forge the rich, meaningful relationships you desire. After all, how you show up in the world has influences on who enters your life.

Prune your social tree.

If you’re determined to lead an extraordinary life, you may need to outgrow some relationships along the way. This doesn’t mean you don’t value those who have been part of your journey; it simply signifies that spending time with them may stifle your growth. If you can’t celebrate your achievements with those around you—if they’re unsupportive or indifferent—then it may be time to seek out those who will. Don’t dim your light to lift others. Downplaying your success in an effort not to intimidate won’t benefit anyone. You can’t satisfy people who define their worth based on others’ accomplishments. If your current circle isn’t rooting for you, it might be time to create room for those who will.

Hang out where amazing people gather.

I’ve encountered numerous individuals—some who built companies worth hundreds of millions—who expanded my thinking, clarified my vision, and reignited my passion. It reinforced my belief that while incredible people may cross our paths by chance, we must also make an effort to position ourselves in their midst. Discover where the people you aim to connect with spend their time and make an effort to be there. Ultimately, changing your circle or community of friends can transform your life for the better. Your life is too short, and your talents too valuable, to settle for anything less than the fullest life you can lead. Please share this message with a friend.