I’ve had several people ask me recently, “Who are the 5 people that you spend the most time with?” And since that question kept coming up, I did a little research and found that this is a theme in Jack Canfield’s books. I also found that Jim Rohn, a self made millionaire and successful author is quoted as saying, “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.”
So, I got to thinking about this idea and noticed something I had not focused in on before … I don’t have 5 key people that I hang out with.
What I have are circles of fives.
- There are the people that I talk with the most about my goals and my plans; my successes and my struggles
- There are the friends that we made while our son was involved in sports from elementary school through high school
- There are key family members
- There is my assistant and key people in our local organization (but way more than 5!)
- There are my friends who have been friends for more than 30 years
- And there are different groups of friends based on the different activities that I have enjoyed over the years
This exercise helped me to realize that I am the sum of who I am based on the journey I’ve been on and each person along the way contributes to the richness and the tapestry that is my life.
I have a lot of people in my life that make me smile and give my heart a warm glow when I think of them. And I realize how truly blessed I am!
I also realize that every day, I make choices. Most times, I choose based on my own thinking patterns and my goals. I look at where I am now and where I want to be and will this thing or that thing move me closer … or move me further away from where I want to go.
And sometimes, when I’m not sure of what the next step is, I think of someone I admire from my many “groups of fives” and I think to myself, “what would this person do?” Or I recall a discussion and draw on their wisdom that has now become my wisdom too. And, when I’m really stuck and need a gentle push or a prod, I know I have a mental rolodex of people that I can call to ask for their input. And, that, my friend … is a very beautiful thing!