Personal Growth Part 2

When it comes to personal growth, we are affected by everything around us. The things we read, watch, who we spend the most time with, and who we allow to speak into our lives all play a part in our development. Yesterday, in Part 1, we starting talking about having a personal growth plan. Today, I want to talk about our associations and those that influence us.

W. Clement Stone said, "You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you toward success - or are they holding you back?"

You should never underestimate the power of influence. There is great power in those that are around us to influence us. Most of the time we don't recognize how it has affected us because these influences have developed over an extended period of time.

When it comes to influences you need to ask yourself three questions:

1. Who Am I Around?
2. What Are These Associations Doing To Me?
3. Is That Okay?

Having the right associations in your life that are influencing you in a positive way can make or break you. I see the power of this every day in my day to day job. The students I teach have allowed negative influences to shape their lives to the point that the damaged things they are doing are positive behaviors to them.

As a pastor, business leader, department head, or head of a household it is vital that you begin to allow your life to be shaped in a positive direction this coming year. Here are three ways you you can handle associations or relationships that might be holding you back:

1. Disassociate - Obviously this is a tough one. Some people that are holding you back may be close people in your life. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't take this one lightly. You are going to have to make the choice to allow a negative influence to stay and determine the quality of your life.
2. Limited Association - You can begin to limit your time with a negative influence and begin to spend major time with positive influences.
3. Expand Your Associations - Begin to find other successful people in your industry and spend time with them. Take them to lunch...call them on the phone...do whatever you can to begin to have these people start speaking into your life.

How are you letting positive associations affect you?

Another great post to read to kick off your personal growth plan is Your Life Purpose.