Who we spend time with is important.
John Rohn, motivational speaker (along with just about every other success guru), tells us: « You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. »
Uh-oh.
This is when I start to worry.
I’m a single Mom. What minutes don’t go to sleeping and my kid go to my business. In my spare time (what spare time?) I’m at the gym. My son says precisely six words, and I assure you: « industry leader » isn’t one of them.
Saturday night diner conversation revolves around the small miracle of a one-year-old making it through diner without throwing a tantrum (or his diner) all over the walls.
During the week, I may be able to sneak a lunch with another business owner. But let’s be honest, my social time is divided between a toddler, my employees, my family and the one or two old friends I still have time for. Scintillating conversation with local business leaders over diner, or a civilized afternoon of golf (I don’t even play golf!) just isn’t in the cards right now.
BUT! And it’s a very big but, you should see who my closest associates are.
A few months ago, I spent a weekend with Tony Robbins: four sixteen hours days (I went to the Date With Destiny workshop). After that, I spent five hours on the plane with Steve Jobs (reading his biography). In the car, on the way home from the airport, I hung out with Michael Hyatt (platform building guru) for forty minutes (listening to his podcast).
Over the past week, I’ve spent about eight hours with world class leaders who have made a science of success. I read The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy (four hours). I listened to two podcasts by Michael Hyatt (1 hour). I read half of Zen Entrepreneur by Rizwan Virk (one and a half hours). I surfed the web to see what other leading real estate professionals are doing (two hours).
I’m not bragging. I’m trying to illustrate that having an illustrious set of influences doesn’t mean you need to have time to court business leaders at the Ritz.
No time for a real-life peer group? That’s not an excuse! You can get a lot out of choosing which influences to expose yourself to.
Of course there’s not the possibility of interaction with this system. That’s true. I’m not getting the benefit of the social networking that an illustrious set of peers will create. But for the moment, I know without a doubt that the five people I share the most air-time with are elevating me. I get to share their ideas and perspectives. I can learn from what they know about life.
Until the toddlering has calmed down, I think this might be the best I can do.
Then again, when you spend regular time with Steve Jobs or Tony Robbins, how bad can it be?
