Eagles don’t fly with turkeys!

Have you ever wondered why birds of feather flock together? Eagles fly with eagles and turkeys (well they don’t fly well at all), but hang with other turkeys.

It’s simple–they’re all headed in the same direction. In the book “The Compound Effect” a basic principle Darren Hardy drives home is how small habitual choices can positively or negatively affect you over time. Well renowned business philosopher Jim Rohm researched the “Law of Associations,” which suggests we are all a direct reflection of the five people we associate with the most. The way we walk, talk, think, dress, our income, health, accomplishments and even values will reflect on those five people. If the five people you affiliate with have negative philosophies, it’s unlikely you will have a positive one. Do your relationships with close colleagues have a themes of blame, disempowerment, or themes of responsibility, self-reflection, and empowerment? If these five people you are continuously around constantly complain, blame others, are generally negative, what is the likelihood you will stay on the upward swing of the compound effect? Not likely!

The point is you need to be acutely aware of the company you keep. Observe those you “flock with,” what destination are they headed towards? Where is it you want to be headed? Are the people around you more successful than you? Are they people you aspire to be, with the kind of life you want? Are they living on the upward or downward swing of the compound effect? This is not complicated; it’s a pass or fail test. Either those five people you flock with are bringing you up or they are bringing you down. Which is it?

Here is the tougher question that takes some honest reflection: are YOU pushing your five’s average up or down? Do you share your success and excitement when you have it? If you are unhappy with your results, do you call a close colleague to complain and place blame? This part of compound effect philosophy requires compassionate awareness. Having compassion and direction are not mutually exclusive. It takes careful thought and discernment on the relationships we bear to see whether they empower us to realize ourdreams or they get in the way.