Who Is In Your Circle?

Being an entrepreneur is a lifestyle and it’s important to surround yourself with people who understand that lifestyle. If they are not living it, they don’t understand it. Being a true entrepreneur is sometimes a difficult road to travel but also one of the most rewarding from both a personal and a financial perspective. The personal growth that most people who choose this lifestyle experience is immeasurable. As the old saying goes, “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. The people that come into your life and the friendships that are made in the process of building a business are another huge benefit of being on your own.

At some point in your journey you have to make decisions as to whom you will allow into your world. Do you want people who bring you down every time you are around them or do you want to be around people who energize you? If you are an entrepreneur, do you want people in your life that work “real jobs” or do you want to surround yourself with other entrepreneurs? That decision will depend on your business. If your business is corporate training, then you probably would have corporate people in your circle. It all depends on the focus of your business.

Here is the bottom line. You need to know who you want in your circle of influence and also who you do not want in your circle of influence. In my business, my focus is on entrepreneurs and small business owners. Here are a few examples of people I do and do not want in my circle.

Here are the people I want in my circle:
1. They are entrepreneurial and are running their own business. They understand the entrepreneurial lifestyle.
2. They energize me when I am around them. They make me want to reach higher, achieve more, and be a better person.
3. The feedback and counsel they give comes from real world experience.
4. They are givers and want to contribute something to make the world a better place.
5. They are people with whom I can be totally honest and open.
6. People who are comfortable being totally open and honest with me.

Here are the people I do not want in my circle:
1. People in the corporate world who want to start a business but can’t make the commitment to do so because they are addicted to the “security” of a weekly paycheck. Most of their decisions are fear based and money driven with no regard to their true passion or dreams. They will start a business only if there is zero risk and if they are guaranteed success (or if the stars are properly aligned). These people are generally energy drainers, time wasters, and never actually do anything.
2. Negative people who only see the downside of starting a new business venture but can't really contribute any new ideas or alternatives. It is important that I have people in my life who will show me both the negative and the positive side of my business ideas. But their input comes from being in the trenches and from real world experience. They can usually provide alternatives if they think my idea won't work.

Make a conscious decision as to whom you allow to take up your time. When you are building a business, time is your most important asset. Build a circle of influence that will energize you, challenge you to grow, and make you a better person.