Think about your five closest friends. These are the people you spend the most time with, either in person or via e-mail, Facebook, MySpace and phone conversations. According to popular wisdom (and it proves to be correct in my life), these five people will define, over the long term:
- The level of your bank account and your salary
- Your overall health and fitness
- Your willingness to take risks and go on adventures
- Your career level and aspirations
- Your overall level of happiness and well-being
- Your attitude and demeanour while relating to other people
- etc.
This is a very unscientific, but highly demonstrable truth. Think about it. Your peer group defines not just who you are, but who you become. Choose your friends wisely.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post. It funny to reflect on the impact new friends have had on my life. I’ve found that as I get older new activities bring new friends or new friends bring in new activities.
Hey Patrick; I really enjoy meeting new people, and keeping a broad circle of friends. Everyone has an interesting story to tell!
I’ve also realized that some friendships just aren’t healthy for me. I still keep in occasional touch with those people, but I also am more aware of the impact negativity and negative-thinking-people can have on me.
Not bad…have I increased your willingness to take a risk yet or improved your overall level of happiness? ;-)
Hey Kapil; seeing as how you just left the corporate world (and taken a pay cut!) to go to biz school; you’ve just lowered the reference point for my salary/net worth potential big time!
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