In this week’s special series about taking your education into your own hands, we have discussed the importance of learning new skills through reading and educational programs. In this post, I’d like to talk about what kind of people you should surround yourself with and learn from.
“Water seeks its own level”, as the saying goes, which means that the people we spend time with tend to reflect our own values and attitudes towards life. So if you want to make a major change, you often need to start with the people closest to you (ask anyone trying to quit smoking or drinking how counterproductive it is to spend hours with smokers and drinkers).
A first step is to spend time with someone who has accomplished what you are looking to accomplish. Do you want to own a business? Then spend time with a business owner. Do you want to run a restaurant? Find a successful owner who can give you honest advice.
Surround yourself with people who have the same goals as you. Obviously, “making money” is a goal, but it also brings a different way of looking at life. In his incredible book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, author Robert Kiyosaki put it this way:
I’ve noticed that my friends with money talk about money. And I do not mean brag. They’re interested in the subject. So I learn from them, and they learn from me. My friends, whom I know are in dire straits financially, do not like talking about money, business or investing. They often think it rude or unintellectual. So I also learn from my friends who struggle financially. I find out what not to do.
Finally, consider joining some sort of group that can help you to progress and learn from the experience of others. My wife and I support
Lifebook, which conducts workshops that break down the confusion and misinformation surrounding money, transform core financial beliefs, and help anyone clearly define what they want from their Financial Life (you can learn more about Lifebook by clicking here).
Some of the most powerful lessons in life are those we learn from the people around us. So surround yourself with people who have something worthwhile to teach.