When it comes to the topic of building a successful career and life, there are three kinds of people you’ll meet: those that can help you, those that can hurt you, and those that don’t matter. And while it’s true that this is a simple concept in itself, the details behind each group may surprise you.
Those That Can Help You
These are people who not only want to see you succeed, but actually support you in your journey. They are therefore easy to spot and you probably already know who they are. But you need to ask can they help you?
Two things to consider:
- Experience/knowledge – does this person have first hand, proven information about what you need to know? While it’s nice to have the undying support of Aunt Matilda, what was the last act she helped sell 400,000 downloads?
- Place in life – is this person where you want to be in life? So let’s say Aunt Matilda has served as a CEO of two major corporations, served on the boards of several others, has been married 27 years and has two summer homes. Even though Aunt Matilda’s never toured the world with a band, she can offer you an enormous wealth of information about business and life.
My advice is to find and surround yourself with these people. Get around them often and learn everything they have to offer.
Those That Can Hurt You
Simple, right? The people who not only want to see you fail, but can actually make sure that happens! Yes, but there’s more: the people who can’t help you. These are the people that don’t have experience/knowledge or are NOT in life where you want to be.
Unfortunately, I’ve just described most of your family and friends – and that’s the danger. So be careful of family and friends who seem to mean well, but are really not helping at all. They are known for statements like:
- “Oh, that’ll never work!”
- “I tried that once!”
- “I knew of a guy who…”
In fact, they are known for LOTS of statements and not much more.
STAY AWAY from these people, both the ones who mean to hurt you and those that mean to help but can’t. Am I saying you should abandon your friends and family? No. What I’m saying is don’t listen to bad advice.
I’m also saying that some of your friends and family can’t hurt you, they simply can’t help either. They are the third kind of people.
Those That Don’t Matter
So if you want to build a successful career and life, get around those that can help you, get away from those that can hurt you, and those that don’t matter?
It doesn’t matter.
