THE BLOG

Alessia Guarnieri

The Power of Relationships: The Impact of the 5 People You surround yourself with

How the people around us influence our lives and practical tips for maximizing the benefits.

Have you ever reached a point in your life where you feel a subtle dissatisfaction, a desire for change, or a lack of inspiration? Perhaps you sense being trapped in habits hindering your growth or notice an emptiness you wish to fill. The significance of the people around us might be the missing piece in your quest for positive change.

If curiosity or the desire to understand how relationships impact your life has started to grow, keep reading this article because I'll provide you with the key to unlock new perspectives and actionable insights.

Assessing the Situation

Often, we are caught up in the hustle of daily life without realizing how much the people around us influence us—or, more accurately, how much we allow ourselves to be influenced. Regardless of whether the influence is positive or negative, it is always beneficial to pause and conduct an audit of the people in our lives, especially the five closest to us, with whom we spend the most time.

From personal experience, when I decided to embark on my entrepreneurial journey, I was enthusiastic and shared my joy with my friends. However, the responses I received were lukewarm, advising me to give up or questioning the certainty of my choice.

I won't deny that, after a period of questioning whether it was all worth it, with the insecurities and doubts that naturally are in my mind, I was genuinely reconsidering.

Then, during one of my coaching sessions, I discussed it with my coach, and he responded with this quote:

"We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with"

My coach referred to the concept explained by Jim Rohn, one of the most famous motivational authors of the 20th century, who identified this fundamental relational mode.

Commonly, we tend to be shaped and influenced by the people we spend time with—a principle rooted in the theory of "socialization" or "social learning."

Essentially, this theory states that people assimilate behaviors, beliefs, and social norms by interacting with other members of society. This process occurs both consciously and unconsciously through acts such as observation, imitation, interaction, and communication with others.

Very often we tend to underestimate or overlook all of this, but when accumulated with many other influencing external and internal factors, it has a tremendous impact on our lives.

Becoming Aware

I grasped the lesson, and everything became clearer.

We will always be influenced by our surrounding environment. It's up to us to decide whether it's a positive or negative influence because only we can determine what is right for us.

It was crucial to implement this specific teaching and use the tools provided: I conducted a thorough analysis of the five people closest to me at that time.

The result surprised me: 4 out of 5 were 9-to-5 employees for practically their entire lives, while only one person was involved in entrepreneurship.

This discovery confronted me with a question: how could I expect support and understanding from those who had no understanding of the path I was facing?

Becoming aware of this situation didn't undermine my friendships; rather, it strengthened my understanding of when and how to seek support more strategically, especially from the right people.

Change Begins Internally

This is why working on oneself is fundamental!

Our personality and behavior result from various factors, including the environment in which we grew up, the experiences we've lived through, and the people we've encountered. However, working on oneself and personal growth can help develop greater self-awareness—an essential element for understanding what we truly want and how to work towards it.

For example, if we spend time with positive, happy, and successful people, it's likely that we'll become positive, happy, and successful ourselves. On the contrary, spending time with negative, toxic, or unambitious individuals may lead us to adopt these traits.

This Peer Group can influence your success, happiness, and even your spirituality.

But concretely, what does all this mean?

In the spiritual sphere, spending time with people who focus on being rather than having, on gratitude rather than materialism, and compassion rather than selfishness, can help develop these qualities in ourselves.

So, as you can imagine, if we surround ourselves with people oriented towards consumption, greed, indifference, or arrogance, we might adopt these traits and divert ourselves from the essential things in life—the ones that truly matter to us.

3 practical steps

1. Be Selective in Your Connections.

Start by conducting an audit of the five people you spend the most time with. Ask yourself: do their attitude, words, and beliefs bring me closer or farther from my personal and professional goals? How do I feel when I'm with them? Strive to spend time with people who inspire and motivate you to become the best version of yourself, avoiding those who demotivate you and resist your change.

2. Expand Your Social Circle.

Participate in networking events, join online groups, or attend courses and seminars related to your passions and interests. This can help you meet people who inspire you, understand your needs more deeply, and offer advice and support to achieve your goals

3. Be Mindful of Your Impact on Others.

If you want to be a positive and influential person, act accordingly. Strive to always be kind, helpful, and generous to others—in the right measure! This way, you can positively influence the people around you (especially those who genuinely want the best for you) and create a virtuous circle of positivity and success.

Let's Recap

Every connection we cultivate is a reflection of who we are and who we can become. Consciously choosing the people around us, expanding our social circle, and being aware of our impact on others are powerful tools for shaping our path.

It's not just about distancing ourselves from negative relationships through healthy selfishness, but actively building bonds that inspire us and help us grow.

Your life is a unique symphony, and each relationship is a note contributing to its melody.

Are you interested in working with me to launch and/or elevate your business?

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AG Studio guides bold entrepreneurs in the hospitality and personal development industry with personal and/or business brands to conscious growth and sustainable success, helping them stand out online. CLICK HERE to learn more about my services and how I can help you!