Show Me Your Friends and I’ll Show You Your Future. Think about the people you spend most time with, whether a group of friends or work colleagues even. Do you have shared inside jokes or sayings, have you ever found yourself saying ‘but my friend said to do it’ when something goes wrong? Those are examples of how we are shaped by the people around us.

Now, those a minor thing, but think about this scenario. You are feeling great, your week has been enjoyable, you achieved something at work, or you just had a nice time at home and feel happy. Then you meet up with a friend who has been having a hard time, and within a few minutes of listening to them, all that happiness is gone and you can only see negativity. That is that same effect, the people around you shaping how you see the world, and if that negativity takes hold, that can be devastating over time.

That is why who you spend time with really does matter. So what should you look for in friends to really benefit from this effect?

• Those who know more than you – You learn from your friends, so choose people that can add to your knowledge
• Those who have ambition that matches your own – Think about where you want to be in five years. Now think about your friends. Do they want the same things, or will they lead you in a less desirable direction?
• Those who inspire you – Find someone who energizes you, who allows you to see new opportunities and possibilities, who constantly looks for ways to change things for the better.
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By selecting friends that do these things, you are making our natural tendency to be shaped by the thinking and attitudes of those around us work for you. You will have a positive, inspirational outlook, seeking to learn and improver will become a natural part of who you are, and that is key to fulfilling your own potential.