The Company You Keep Why It Matters Who You Hang Out With

"You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." Jim Rohn

This quote is one of the most powerful,  I keep reminding myself over and over again. I am the average of the five people I spend the most time with. Others around myself determine how I think and how I act. 

The older I get, the more I realize that this applies to people of all ages. I have seen first hand what happens when adults associate with people who have no morals. Before long, they mimic their behavior, their language and their habits. Never underestimate the influence of people you let into your life. It's important to surround yourself with people that will lift you higher. People that will be happy for your success - that will be there - should you fall or stumble.  

If you want to be more productive, hang out with productive people. If you want to be outgoing or artistic or altruistic or polite or proactive or smart or just about anything else, find people who are better than you at that thing and become friends with them. It's not all that hard, people that share common interest have something that build the foundation of their friendship. 
Just remember - not to build a friendship on negativity or a shared dislike of another. 

Think about the friends you've met on social media, they can significantly impact your life - if you let them. Ask yourself this: Would you spend an evening with them? Would you invite them into your home? Do they bring along to much drama - are they more negative than positive?  You don't have to go an unfriend everyone on facebook - just realize you must maintain a little distance. Understand who they are and what they are. Be strong enough, confident enough - to not follow the leader. 

Quality over quantity!