That statement caught me off guard on Saturday when I was in a department store with one of my neighbors. She quickly grabbed my arm and steered me to a different section in the store, in efforts to avoid the front cash register area.
I asked what that was all about since I had been happily browsing in that other section. She pointed to a lady at the cash register and said she didn’t want to cross paths with her. So I asked who that lady was……….that was no stranger, it was her sister. They had been estranged for years and because they live in the same city, at times, they cross paths. Now, that might seem like a very unusual situation to many of you who are reading this.
But not to me. I, too, am estranged from my sister – my twin sister, to be exact. It was my choice and I have no regrets. You see I made a decision a number of years ago to surround myself only with the people who will lift me up, support me, care for me and love me. The negativity was killing my soul and my spirit – I knew that something had to change and it was up to me to make that decision – or accept the consequences.
You can and should keep your composure and happiness
regardless of circumstances – regardless of your friends,
family and co-workers – regardless of gossip, sarcasm, and negativity.
Nonetheless, life is much easier and more pleasant
when you spend as much time as possible
in the company of enthusiastic positive people –
not necessarily those who agree with you,
but those who respect your right to your point of view.
– Jonathan Lockwood Huie
For those of you who have received my free CD: “The 7 Steps to Growing Your Business By Getting Out Of Your Own Way!”, I explain the critical importance, as an entrepreneur, to eliminate toxic people from your life and from your business. That would be those people/clients who suck the life out of you, who criticize you, who are jealous of you, who belittle you……..you know the ones. In order to grow your business, and to live your best life, you must eliminate those toxic people – or, if you can’t eliminate them, then remove yourself from the situation. That’s what I did.
The consequences of being in the midst of negative and toxic people are much too high. It will cost you in your business, your health and your wealth. The benefits far outweigh the negatives – so, look around.
Who are you spending time with? Make a list. You become the average of those 5 people. How much money do they make? That’s how much you will make, on average. How happy are they? That’s how happy you will be.
Take action today – write that list – study it and make changes where change is necessary. After all, your life depends on it!
