This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Don’t be infected by people who have unhealthy relationships with money
If your friends are broke, will you be broke?
If your family believes in lack, will you believe in lack?
If people close to you have a fear of money, will you feel the same way?
If people around you are struggling financially, will you struggle financially?
Well, it depends.
We might often hear famous words: “You become the average of the five people closest to you.”
This might be true for some people, but I disagree.
Whenever I found myself around people in different places, I did not lower my standards and mimic their lifestyles.
Instead, I continually invested time in personal development and evolving my being.
How did I do this?
Reading books, listening to podcasts, watching seminars, attending elevating events, etc.
Those around me do not have to define me. However, I understand many people don’t function like this and are products of their environments.
Take Those On Different Tracks In Doses
If a person is living a life that differs significantly from how I live mine, that’s okay, but it doesn’t mean I need to spend all of my time around them.
Doses.
Take people on a different track than you in controlled doses, which will happen naturally because you will attract and want to be around people who add value to your life and make you feel livelier.
People who detract value from your life, always have a sad story, aren’t living productively, or dim your light are not the people you should spend your time around.
Are You Sensitive?
Some are more sensitive than others and can become infected by others’ thoughts and opinions.
If this is the case for you, you might become the average of the five people closest to you.
If these people aren’t moving in the direction you want to move in your life, then create some distance.
You don’t need to sever less productive relationships, but you might want to rethink how you’re allocating your time to these relationships.
I’ll put it this way: the people you invest your time with should be people that leave you better off than before you saw them.
Summary
I don’t believe you have to become the average of the five people closest to you if you don’t desire to be like them.
However, if you’re sensitive and easily influenceable, you will likely become more like the people you surround yourself with.
What kinds of people are you surrounding yourself with, and are you okay with becoming like them?
If not, create some distance.
Focus on surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals or people who think more productively than you.
In the meantime, read books that challenge the way you think so you can continue to elevate your thought patterns.
Affirmation: I surround myself with highly productive, abundant, and wealth-oriented people.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.