You think like people you spend time with

Your thoughts drive your results

Consider that it’s difficult to maintain a positive outlook if you’re surrounded by apathetic people who constantly criticize, belittle, and see the worst in people. In time you’ll likely find yourself agreeing with them, on small points at first, but with increasing frequency as their mentality affects yours.

For those that shoulder considerable responsibility, this tendency can have dire consequences. Associate with unmotivated people, and watch your ambition shrivel. Spend time with defeatists, and your ability to see solutions where others only see problems might dwindle.

But this also presents an exciting opportunity. You can mold your thought processes and focus them on patterns that support your ambitions by seeking out and spending time with people that have already achieved greatness.

The way that we think about the world helps to create the reality we experience. If you assume that most people are generally good, then that is how you’ll experience them. This predisposes you to give someone the benefit of the doubt when they behave out of character. Likewise, if your base assumption is that even seemingly intractable problems have solutions, then you’ll push yourself much harder to find them.

In short, your thought patterns serve as the framework that you operate within. If there’s a part of your life that isn’t as optimized as it should be, you can often find a breakthrough by engaging different thought processes. And research increasingly supports the idea that you can alter these patterns by associating with people that already utilize them.

The science is sound. Humans tend to seek validation from those closest to them. If you’re a timid person that surrounds themselves with courageous compatriots, your anxious tendencies will be met with rejection. In a bid for social acceptance, you’ll subconsciously seek out opportunities to demonstrate bravery. These will be cheered, leading to positive changes and a reduction in your anxieties.

So consider your goals and the challenges you’re facing, both professionally and personally. Examine the sorts of behaviors best suited to your long-term success. Now decide whether the people you most commonly associate with are helping or hindering the adoption of those behaviors and thought patterns.

If you determine that one or more of your top five associates aren’t contributing to your goals, it might be worth deprecating their position in your life, at least temporarily. Because this isn’t about throwing out friendships or ignoring colleagues. It’s about finding people that can support your current situation and engaging them more.

You can still spend time with others in your life. Just maybe give them less access to your mental space than people better suited to your professional growth. In the end, their success will be your success.