Surround Yourself With Amazing People

There are so many incredible people on the planet. Knowing how precious time is, why wouldn’t you surround yourself with amazing people?

The older I get the more of a snob I become. My work schedule is very demanding on my time. With my work schedule and the amount of travel I do, the impact on my leisure time is significant. When I have the opportunity to socialize, I am picky about the people with whom I spend my time. I choose to be with those I truly enjoy. I have come to realize that I need to be around positive people that bring something special or unique to a relationship.

I am extremely fortunate to have an amazing group of friends, many of which go back to my childhood. I credit that partially to good fortune, but also to the fact I have cultivated those relationships over the years. I may not be the person that reaches out weekly, but I will pick up the phone and make contact with these important people a few times a year. I also make it a point to see them in person periodically. Social media has made this easier but there is still no replacement for one-on- one contact. The bottom line is that maintaining relationships of any kind requires effort.

My professional life is similar, although professionally I look for people that can compliment my skill set. At work I am blessed to be surrounded by many detail-oriented people that are great with planning and logistics. I prefer not get too involved in the details. It allows me to focus on what I do best: the development and delivery of content aimed at making people better at what they do.

Outside of the office, in what I’ll refer to as my personal business, I have also benefitted from a great group of professionals that advise me. People like my accountant, insurance professional, doctor, coach, and my attorney who serves the dual role of also being my wife.

Reflect on your professional relationships. Have you surrounded yourself with the right group of advisors that compliment your abilities? Make sure your professional network (people like your accountant and doctor) consists of great people that are willing to help. There are plenty of talented, dedicated professionals out there. If you are questioning any of yours, perhaps you should look to replace that person with someone better suited to your personality and needs. Take the step of getting the new person in place now, before you need them.

As for your personal relationships, think about all the great people you have befriended over your lifetime. Who haven’t you spoken to in the last six months? Make it a point to reach out to them this week. Your goal: surround yourself yourself with amazing people.