Why You Are the Average of the Five People Closest to You
Ever heard the saying, “You are the average of five people you spend the most time with”? It’s a concept that I’ve found to be true, both in business and in life. The people you surround yourself with play a huge role in shaping your mindset, your habits, and ultimately, your success.
Let’s break this down.
One Topic: The Average of Five People Concept
We tend to adopt the behaviors, beliefs, and energy of those around us. If you’re surrounded by people who are ambitious, motivated, and positive, you’ll naturally start to reflect those traits. On the flip side, if your closest circle is full of negativity, procrastination, and excuses, those habits will likely rub off on you too.
Think of it like this: Each person in your life either pulls you forward or holds you back. The people you choose to spend your time with can make the difference between thriving or just getting by.
Be mindful of who you surround yourself with. Your environment is stronger than your willpower.
Real-Life Examples of The 5-Person rule:
Consider top athletes. They don’t just train solo—they surround themselves with the best coaches, teammates, and experts who push them beyond their limits. Or take entrepreneurs. Most successful founders didn’t achieve their success in isolation. They collaborated with mentors, investors, and peers who elevated their thinking and guided them through challenges.
In both cases, these people are intentional about choosing the right company. They surround themselves with those who inspire growth and challenge them to improve.
How to Evaluate Your Circle
You don’t need to make drastic changes overnight, but it’s worth reflecting on the people you spend most of your time with.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Do they inspire you to grow?
- Are your friends and colleagues pushing you to be the best version of yourself?
- Are they positive influences?
- Do they offer constructive feedback and help you find solutions, or are they often caught up in problems and negativity?
- Do they align with your values? Surrounding yourself with people who share similar values can reinforce your goals and make it easier to stay on track.
If you realize that some people in your circle are holding you back, it doesn’t mean you need to cut ties completely. Instead, focus on spending more time with those who lift you up and less time with those who drag you down. Gradually, you’ll notice a shift in your mindset, habits, and energy.
Make conscious decisions about who you invest your time in. Your personal and professional growth depends on it.
How to Improve Your Inner Circle:
- Seek Out Mentors: Find people who are where you want to be and learn from them. Mentors can provide invaluable insights and help you avoid common pitfalls.
- Surround Yourself with Positivity: Whether it’s friends, colleagues, or online communities, be intentional about finding people who are positive and motivated.
- Look for Diversity in Thought: It’s not about finding people who think exactly like you, but those who challenge you to think differently and push you to grow.
You can’t control everything in life, but you can control who you spend your time with. The people around you influence your mindset, your actions, and ultimately, your success. Choose wisely, and you’ll see the benefits in every area of your life.
Read last week’s JustDraft newsletter about 0.8 vs 1.2 Mindset.
Two Quotes
The company you keep is a reflection of your future self.
Surround yourself with those who lift you higher, not those who pull you down.
One Passage
You are the master of your destiny. You can influence, direct and control your own environment. You can make your life what you want it to be. But the key is to be intentional about who you let into your life. The people who surround you can either support your goals or derail them. Choose wisely, for your success depends on the company you keep.
From Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill
