Keeping Good Company: Why You Should Surround Yourself With Good People

People have a huge impact on your life. "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with," says American entrepreneur and motivational speaker Jim Rohn. With this in mind, you should think about the people you're spending time with the same way you think about what you eat and how you're exercising.

Some people can be parasites. They suck out your happiness, energy and maybe some of your tangible resources as well. You can put spending time with them in the same category as eating nachos on the couch.

So what make someone a "good" person to spend time with? And what are the benefits of surrounding yourself with these people?

"Good People"

Good people aren't saints, or at least they don't have to be. They might spend their winter holidays helping starving children in Africa, or they may simply encourage you to hit the gym more. The good people you're looking for are positive, happy people that enrich your life. They can be:

• Family members



• Friends



• Coworkers



• Acquaintances that frequent the same coffee shop

They are people that will inspire you to be a better person, provide you with motivation to achieve your goals, empower you to make the changes you need to succeed and cheer on your success.

In the workplace, good people tend to be productive people. They're organized, create schedules they stick to and don't get easily distracted from the end goal. And all this help you be more productive!

It's important to note that "good" does not mean similar. Too much of the same thing can inhibit growth. You want to have diversity and healthy arguments. You should have an eagerness to soak up knowledge, and differing perspectives can help you with that.

Think About the People You Spend the Most Time With

Write down the qualities of the people you spend the most time with. Would you call them positive people? Happy? Now think of how they interact and affect you.

Do they make you feel like you have what it takes to reach your goals?

Do they support you?

Do they make you feel attractive?

You you feel happy and energized after spending time with them?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, you're probably already surrounded by the good people you need.

What Does "Good" Mean to You?

"Surround yourself with people who make you happy. People who make you laugh, who help you when you're in need. People who genuinely care. They are the ones worth keeping in your life. Everyone else is just passing through." - Karl Marx

People are different. There are things that make you happy that might not make me happy. Your idea of support may differ from the next person's. The key is finding the people that are good for you.

So how do you do that?

Remember that like attracts like. You have to give off positive vibes and be confident. You also have to be yourself. This will lead you to the people that are right for you. You may also need to practice forgiveness. Resentment only breeds bitterness and unhappiness, and it's time to let the negativity go.

When you're surrounded by good people, you're surrounded by life. You'll be less stressed and find more joy in daily things. Today, make a commitment to start spending more time with the good people in your life.