The Fastest Way to Change

The fastest way to change yourself is to hang out with people who are already the way you want to be.

– The Startup of You

Human beings are such easily influenced creatures. The way we laugh is influenced by our parents. The way we talk is influenced by our hometown. The things we find funny are influenced by the friends we had growing up and the movies we watched. The things we like and buy are influenced by the ads we see. Unsurprisingly, the habits we cultivate mirror the habits of those around us.

You often hear celebrities say that keeping their hometown friends around them helped keep their grip on reality and their ego in check. This is probably good advice for people who are lavished with money and fame for looking great and playing make believe.

But, what if your friends are barely employable? What if your friends sit around all day eating junk food or getting drunk or high or watching tv? What if your friends are losers? You certainly don’t have to abandon them, but make sure you spend a lot more time with people who are already the way you want to be, not the people who are exactly what you don’t want to be.