Who Are You Hanging Out With?
This is a tough one… Most of us self-publishing indie authors probably spend most of our time hanging out with whoever we work with during our day job. We probably don’t hang out with many successful authors that are hitting out of the park. Furthermore, when we’re not around our co-workers, then we’re probably spending most of whatever time left that we have with our family and friends from our neighborhood. These are people most likely very similar to what we are and where we are right now instead of where we want to go. Hey, to tell you the truth. Not many of us know a lot of famous authors. We don’t live near them or work with them. But, a truth is a truth, and we will become the average of the five people we spend the most time with. So, now I have to ask you who are you hanging out with?
Think about it this way. Let’s say you have a lot of ambition. You’re working very hard at your side-hustle of authoring. You’re running full speed ahead at becoming a real authorpreneur. However, none of your friends or acquaintances are doing this. No one you know is making a dream that is similar to yours come true. Heck, you don’t even know anyone who truly hustles out there beyond their 9-5. Now I want you to think about this for a minute. Consider who you’re hanging out with. Think about how much or how little they hustle. Now, what do you think will eventually happen to your hustle?
Now you don’t have to abandon your friends and family. As a matter of fact, I would strongly advise you not to relinquish your friends and family. However, you do need to get someone who is doing what you want to be doing into your life. After all, you will become the average of the five people who you hang out with the most… I want you to really think about what I’m going to say next… You’re also going to end up with the average income of the five people who you hang out with the most, too. I think you want more, right?
So, what do you do when you’re always surrounded by people who are very similar to you. Well, here comes social media to the rescue. Through social media you can meet some people who are hustling and setting new trends out there. You can get to know some big-time influencers who don’t live in your neighborhood, work at your day job, or travel your demographic circles. Just including a couple of these super successful people in your mix of who you hang out with, even if it is only virtually, should up your worth in multiple areas of life. This is a great way to add to your life and not let your present circumstances trap you.
If you only surround yourselves with people who have the 9-5 mindset, then it’s going to make it harder for you to climb the ladder of success. It will be more difficult to become that higher-quality person who can help others, as well as, be the one in their family tree who changed it all.
Also, believe it or not, we don’t have to keep these virtual influencers as just virtual acquaintances. We can find ways to communicate with them through different channels. Leave comments on their social media posts. Try to get their email so you can contact them and chat with them that way. Join their meet-ups. See if you can get their phone numbers and further build your relationship with them over the phone. Go to their book signings or any other live events they’re having. Meet them out for a cup of coffee. I can’t even remember how many people I have gotten to know better over a cup of coffee. And if you can afford it, sign up for one of their classes, and maybe you’ll have a mentor and a friend for life… How’s that for upping what you’ll be able to accomplish someday, as well as raising your own stock?
This is how you step into higher social circles. Hey, it may not be the traditional way to get into those exclusive circles, but nonetheless, it works. It gets you in the company of shakers and movers. And then some pretty exciting doors begin to open for you as long as you’re known as someone who hustles, is likable, and is trustworthy.
So, once again, who do you hang out with? Let me re-emphasize that I’m imploring you to not eliminate friends and family from your life. Just add a few high quality people. I’m not asking you to take anything away. I’m only asking you to add to your life. So add a few more high-quality people to your life, and I think you’re going to be happy to see how your average goes up. I think you’re going to like your new norm, which will cause many people to stop and comment on how proud they are of you.
*Watch this FREE video lesson on this chapter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIXbZ1n6ncg
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