Evaluating Your Associations (Part One)

If you were to evaluate the major influences in your life that have shaped the kind of person you are, this has to be high on the list: the people and thoughts you choose to allow into your life. Mr. Shoaff gave me a very important warning in those early days that I would like to share with you. He said, "Never underestimate the power of influence." Indeed, the influence of those around us is so powerful! Many times we don't even realize we're being strongly affected because influences generally develop over an extended period of time.

Peer pressure is an especially powerful force because it is so subtle. If you're around people who spend all they make, chances are excellent that you'll spend all you make. If you are around people who go to more ball games than concerts, chances are excellent that you'll do the same thing. If you are around people who don't read, chances are excellent that you won't read.

People can keep nudging us off course a little at a time until finally, we find ourselves asking, "How did I get here?" Those subtle influences need to be studied carefully if we really want our lives to turn out the way we've planned.

With regard to this important point, let me give you three key questions to ask yourself. They may help you to make better analysis of your current associations.

Here is the first question: "Who am I around?" Make a mental note of the people with whom you most often associate. You've got to evaluate everybody who is able to influence you in any way.

The second question is: "What are these associations doing to me?" That's a major question to ask. What have they got me doing? What have they got me listening to? What have they got me reading? Where have they got me going? What do they have me thinking? How have they got me talking? How have they got me feeling? What have they got me saying? You've got to make a serious study of how others are influencing you, both negatively and positively.

Here's a final question: "Is that okay?" Maybe everyone you associate with has been a positive, energizing influence. Then again, maybe there are some bad apples in the bunch. All I'm suggesting here is that you take a close and objective look. Everything is worth a second look, especially the power of influence. Both will take you somewhere, but only one will take you in the direction you need to go.

It's easy to just dismiss the things that influence our lives. One man say's, "I live here, but I don't think it matters. I'm around these people, but I don't think it hurts." I would take another look at that. Remember, everything matters! Sure, some things matter more than others, but everything amounts to something. You've got to keep checking to find out whether your associations are tipping the scales toward the positive or toward the negative. Ignorance is never the best policy. Finding out is the best policy.

Perhaps you've heard the story of the little bird. He had his wing over his eye and he was crying. The owl said to the bird, "You are crying." "Yes," said the little bird, and he pulled his wing away from his eye. "Oh, I see," said the owl. "You're crying because the big bird pecked out your eye." And the little bird said, "No, I'm not crying because the big bird pecked out my eye. I'm crying because I let him."

It's easy to let influence shape our lives, to let associations determine our direction, to let pressures overwhelm us, and to let tides take us. The big question is, are we letting ourselves become what we wish to become?

Next week we'll take a look at the three forms of disassociating from negative influences. Until then,

To Your Success,

Jim Rohn

Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine. Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine, go to http://Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com

---

It is a Challenge to Succeed

(excerpted from The Challenge to Succeed audio series)It is a... Read More

+ Persistence =

"Never, never, never give up; never give up, never!." -... Read More

Potholes On The Road To Success

Howdy folks, today I would like to speak to you... Read More

Affirm, Visualize, and Receive - Is Planning Really Necessary?

"Don't get caught up in the how of things. If... Read More

The Best Way to Perform the Miracle of Success

These days success is a hotly debated subject. Nevertheless, people... Read More

Create Credibility for Success

Back in my early marketing days, finding the magic ticket... Read More

Taking Responsibility

Everything you are or ever will be is completely up... Read More

Success The Cartoon Character Way?

If you could choose a cartoon character from your childhood... Read More

Personal Power: Implementing Change from the Inside Out

Personal power is an INSIDE JOB. It doesn't mean getting... Read More

Fallen Ladders Dont Matter

We own a home on the island of Puerto Rico... Read More

Success from Failure

Those of you who know me, know that I am... Read More

Perseverance - How To Quit Quitting

The Definition Of PerseveranceFrom a dictionary: "Persisting in or remaining... Read More

Back-Planning For Success

Coming up with new dreams and passions can be fun,... Read More

More Effective Communication - Weight Loss For Your Mouth

Language constitutes our belief system. What we believe is true... Read More

Your 12 Point Plan for Personal Success

No one becomes successful by accident. Success requires making a... Read More

What Do You Know?

"When I think back on all the crap I learned... Read More

Three Things You Must Know to Attract Success

Everyone wants success.Some people spend their every waking moment pursuing... Read More

Is Shyness Affecting Your Job?

It is accepted that most people have felt shy at... Read More

Self-Improvement Secrets

* Perfectionism is a time waster.Strive for excellence on important... Read More

Be Successful : Take Back Control of Your Life

What would happen if you lived your life by design... Read More

Celebrate Great Rides

You have been preparing for months. You are in position... Read More

If Youre Not Ready - Dont Start!

There are times when we feel we should take action,... Read More

Reach Your Goals - A Higher Purpose

Find a higher reason to reach your goal than just... Read More

How to Succeed and Never Fail

So, how can you succeed online without ever experiencing the... Read More

3 Powerful Tips to Help You Have Your Best Year Ever

Here are 3 powerful steps you can take to free... Read More

Becoming a Success Giant!

IntroductionSuccess - we all read about it, hear it on... Read More

How to be Professional?

Is it difficult to be professional?I think from my experience... Read More

Goal Setting: Pops Proves Its Never Too Late

Pops first set the goal in high school, but when... Read More

Identify Those Things That Have Prevented You From Being Successful And Learn How To Avoid Them Now

Have you been struggling for years to accomplish some goals... Read More

Fantasy Versus Reality

Building wealth isn't something for the frightened, ignorant, and lost.... Read More

Success Lessons I Learned From My Single Mom

I was at a dinner party the other night when... Read More

Self Growth - How to Overcome Your Critics

They all know it's part of the success journey.They know... Read More

Perseverance is the Ability ...

"Perseverance allows you to get back on track when you... Read More