The question above came to my mind after reading this quote, “We are the average of the 5 people we spend the most time with” by Jim Rohn, a motivational speaker and author of several books including “The Art of Exceptional Living.” He was born in 1930 in Yakima (WA) and died in 2009 in Los Angeles. This American businessman and writer was neither a psychologist nor a sociologist, but the statement above is as wise as an exact science.
This quote is related to the “law of averages,” which is the theory that the outcome of any situation will be the average of all results. When applied to our daily lives and experiences in society, this means that we are particularly elevated or diminished depending on the type of people we surround ourselves with and interact with.
Academic research tends to agree, in this sense, that we are shaped by our environments, including our relationships. We are greatly influenced, whether we like it or not, by those closest to us. This affects our way of thinking, our self-esteem, and our decisions. Of course, everyone is unique, but research has shown that we are more affected by our surroundings than we think.
That is why we have seen a considerable increase in “master mind groups” or groups of mentors and entrepreneurs over the last decade because we now understand the power of surrounding ourselves with people who are always seeking a 
path of continuous improvement. Jim Rohn himself synthesizes his quote in another short phrase saying, “First, influence is powerful. And second, it is subtle.”
I have come to the conclusion that what he meant, viewing business, is that we should never lower our standards. We should always be efficient in the best way possible. And this includes efficiency in surrounding ourselves with like-minded entrepreneurs who seek to improve and are proactive. In an increasingly competitive landscape for small business owners and professionals of all kinds, maintaining high standards and good relationships is essential.
While it is ideal to be surrounded by active, positive people who pursue their goals, it is also necessary to have your critics nearby. According to a study from the “Journal of Consumer Research,” the less experienced prefer positive feedback, but experts and more experienced individuals would like to hear negative feedback so they can progress and always evolve. Lastly, I will leave a well-known fact that is always good to keep in mind: the more successful you become, the more criticism you will face.
LINDENBERG JUNIOR
Journalist & Consultant
www.kisuccess.com