Success Information

Evaluating Your Associations (Part One)


If you were to evaluate the major influences in your life that have shaped the kind of person you are, this has to be high on the list: the people and thoughts you choose to allow into your life. Mr. Shoaff gave me a very important warning in those early days that I would like to share with you. He said, "Never underestimate the power of influence." Indeed, the influence of those around us is so powerful! Many times we don't even realize we're being strongly affected because influences generally develop over an extended period of time.

Peer pressure is an especially powerful force because it is so subtle. If you're around people who spend all they make, chances are excellent that you'll spend all you make. If you are around people who go to more ball games than concerts, chances are excellent that you'll do the same thing. If you are around people who don't read, chances are excellent that you won't read.

People can keep nudging us off course a little at a time until finally, we find ourselves asking, "How did I get here?" Those subtle influences need to be studied carefully if we really want our lives to turn out the way we've planned.

With regard to this important point, let me give you three key questions to ask yourself. They may help you to make better analysis of your current associations.

Here is the first question: "Who am I around?" Make a mental note of the people with whom you most often associate. You've got to evaluate everybody who is able to influence you in any way.

The second question is: "What are these associations doing to me?" That's a major question to ask. What have they got me doing? What have they got me listening to? What have they got me reading? Where have they got me going? What do they have me thinking? How have they got me talking? How have they got me feeling? What have they got me saying? You've got to make a serious study of how others are influencing you, both negatively and positively.

Here's a final question: "Is that okay?" Maybe everyone you associate with has been a positive, energizing influence. Then again, maybe there are some bad apples in the bunch. All I'm suggesting here is that you take a close and objective look. Everything is worth a second look, especially the power of influence. Both will take you somewhere, but only one will take you in the direction you need to go.

It's easy to just dismiss the things that influence our lives. One man say's, "I live here, but I don't think it matters. I'm around these people, but I don't think it hurts." I would take another look at that. Remember, everything matters! Sure, some things matter more than others, but everything amounts to something. You've got to keep checking to find out whether your associations are tipping the scales toward the positive or toward the negative. Ignorance is never the best policy. Finding out is the best policy.

Perhaps you've heard the story of the little bird. He had his wing over his eye and he was crying. The owl said to the bird, "You are crying." "Yes," said the little bird, and he pulled his wing away from his eye. "Oh, I see," said the owl. "You're crying because the big bird pecked out your eye." And the little bird said, "No, I'm not crying because the big bird pecked out my eye. I'm crying because I let him."

It's easy to let influence shape our lives, to let associations determine our direction, to let pressures overwhelm us, and to let tides take us. The big question is, are we letting ourselves become what we wish to become?

Next week we'll take a look at the three forms of disassociating from negative influences. Until then,

To Your Success,

Jim Rohn

Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine. Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine, go to http://Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com


MORE RESOURCES:

PC World

First Look: Why Facebook Connect Is Bound For Success
Washington Post, United States - 2 hours ago
Here is a look at Facebook's latest feature Facebook Connect and what it can do for you. It looks like a winner. Comments that include profanity or personal ...
Facebook Connect goes live to one and all Ars Technica
all 190 news articles


New Bulldog Reporter Webinar Reveals PR Agencies Best Practices ...
MarketWatch - 4 hours ago
He will give an exclusive inside look into what the client-side companies are looking for and how to optimize RFP success in these tough economic times. ...


Voice of America

Success of automakers plea for funds looks unlikely
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 7 hours ago
"We can be partners in their success, but only if the industry is willing to make the hard choices," said Gutierrez. "At the end of the day, I believe the ...
Thousands of jobs connected to Ford's success KOAA
Big Three Automaker CEOs Beg Congress For More Money Again The Moderate Voice
Auto execs concede mistakes but earn little sympathy McClatchy Washington Bureau
Scotsman
all 2,958 news articles


Our Drug Policy Is a Success
Wall Street Journal - 4 hours ago
Our policy has been a success -- although that success is one of Washington's best kept secrets. Reported drug use among eighth, 10th and 12th graders has ...


'The Ultimate Keys to Success in Business & Science': A ...
MarketWatch - 19 hours ago
NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Dec 04, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Unlike most business guides, "The Ultimate Keys to Success in Business & Science: The Modern ...


Obama thanks Illinois finance team for success in the election
Newsday, NY - 6 hours ago
By ANN SANNER | AP Writer CHICAGO (AP) — President-elect Barack Obama thanked his Illinois finance committee on Thursday night for helping him win the ...


Get Into the Holiday Spirit for a New Job
MarketWatch - 9 hours ago
Total Career Success, a career management firm specializing in helping individuals transition to better jobs for better pay and advance their careers, ...
Announcing Publication of 'Job Search: The Total System, 3rd Edition' MarketWatch
all 15 news articles


ACTE Releases Issue Brief Highlighting CTE, Career Guidance Brings ...
MarketWatch - 18 hours ago
... role career and technical education (CTE) plays in the area of career guidance and improving student success through career development services. ...


Texas A&M women appear on road to basketball success
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - 3 hours ago
By LORI DANN Texas A&M coach Gary Blair has taken his young team on the road to prepare for the Big 12, and the Aggies are undefeated. ...
Since 1998 Big 12 title, Texas A&M Aggies have been stuck in reverse Fort Worth Star Telegram
all 5 news articles


Bleacher Report

Alabama's QB will have a legacy but few awards
Kentucky.com, KY - 33 minutes ago
I think he cares about the success of the team more than the individual." With two games left to play in his college career, Wilson, who will lead his ...
Tide's defense hopes to mirror success of 1992 squad Anniston Star (subscription)
Free College Football Pick: Alabama vs Florida SEC Championship Game OnlineSportsHandicapping.com
It Comes Down to This: A Look at the Conference Championship Games The Queensberry Rules
Bleacher Report - Kansas City Star
all 819 news articles

Success - Google News

home | site map
© 2006