Why You Need to Know Who and What Influences You
Knowing who and what influences you allows you to focus your time on positive influences and limit negative influences. The people around you, the things you read, watch, say, and do all matter.
Dear Spirited Earthling,
Knowing who and what influences you is important because it allows you to have a better understanding of yourself and your actions. Understanding your influences can help you identify patterns in your behaviour and decision-making. It can also help you make more informed decisions about the people and media you allow into your life. This includes books, TV shows, movies, and social media.
“We acquire both empowering and negative beliefs, behaviors, and opinions of people around us – including those we only see in television, movies, or read about in books.” ~ Martin Meadows
1. The People Around You
Why the people you surround yourself with matter - they are one of your greatest influences.
Positive influences can include friends and family who support and encourage us, mentors who guide us in our personal and professional development, and even strangers who inspire us with their accomplishments and attitudes. These people can provide us with valuable insights, feedback, and motivation to help us achieve our goals and become better versions of ourselves.
On the other hand, negative influences can include people who discourage us, criticise us, or even lead us down a path of self-destructive behaviour. These negative influences can be toxic to our mental and emotional well-being and can hinder our personal growth and progress. If your friends settle and have no ambition, you’re less likely to follow your dreams.
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” ~ Jim Rohn
Take note of who inspires you, who encourages you to reach higher, who wants you to grow, and who can be constructively honest with you. And spend more time with them.
Learn from people who you admire in your community. Attend talks and seminars to meet different people with similar goals and interests. Remember, if you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.
2. The Books You Read
It is often said that the books we read have a significant impact on our thoughts, values, and beliefs. From a young age, we are taught to read and are exposed to various forms of literature, from fairy tales to classic novels to modern self-help books. Each book we read leaves an impression on us, shaping the way we see the world and influencing our actions and decisions.
Reading books can broaden our horizons, exposing us to new ideas and perspectives that we may not have encountered otherwise. Through reading, we can learn about different cultures, historical events, and scientific discoveries, expanding our knowledge and understanding of the world around us. This newfound knowledge may inspire us to take action, whether it be to volunteer in our community or pursue a career in a particular field.
However, it is important to remember that not all books are created equal. Some books may promote harmful ideas or perpetuate harmful stereotypes, while others may provide a one-sided view of a complex issue. It is up to us as readers to critically analyse the books we read and evaluate their messages. By doing so, we can ensure that the books we choose to read have a positive influence on us and those around us.
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counsellors, and the most patient of teachers.” ~ Charles W. Eliot.
Books can also fill areas of your life that may be lacking:
Are you interested in business and finance, but don’t have people around you to guide and mentor you? Read about ways to better your business and become financially savvy.
Do you need to make some life changes? Read about ways to improve yourself and your life. Grow spirituality with books written by or about spiritual leaders that interest you.
Reading fantasy may ignite your imagination. You can learn more than you think from different characters and unknown places. Characters can become role models, and places can inspire you to create a better world.
Start small: Read a page a night if that's all you can get through at first. Before long, reading will become a natural part of your daily routine.
“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” ~ Walt Disney
What you read influences your thoughts.
3. The Things You Watch
The media you consume can shape your worldview and influence your decision-making process.
When you watch educational or inspirational content, you may feel more motivated and inspired to take positive actions in your life. You may also become more empathetic and understanding of others' perspectives by watching shows that highlight diverse experiences.
On the other hand, if you frequently watch violent movies or shows, you may become desensitized to violence and aggression. Similarly, if you consume a lot of negative news, you may develop a pessimistic outlook on life and become more fearful or anxious.
The things you watch matters so be more mindful of the media you consume – less true crime and more comedy, less violence and more romcoms. Bring a positive balance to what your watch.
What you watch influences how you feel.
4. The Things You Say
The power of words is undeniably immense. The things you say and think have a direct impact on your mindset, your beliefs, and your overall outlook on life. This is why it is so important to be mindful of the words you use, not only when speaking to others, but also when speaking to yourself.
“Your mind will either help you achieve your goal or sabotage you. It gives you exactly what you feed it. Give it self-doubt, and you’ll get self-defeat. Give it empowering thoughts, and it will be your best pal.” ~ Martin Meadows
Positive affirmations can be incredibly effective in reshaping our mindset and improving our self-esteem. By repeating positive statements to ourselves, we can start to believe them and create a more positive internal dialogue. Similarly, negative self-talk can reinforce negative beliefs and perpetuate negative thought patterns.
“The secret to achieving bigger and bigger goals is self-efficacy – the strength of the confidence in your abilities. The more you believe you can achieve big things, the easier it will be to achieve the impossible.” ~ Martin Meadows
It's also important to recognize that the words we use can have an impact on those around us. Are you a positive or negative influence? Do you constantly share and tell negative news stories with people who may not want to know?
Our words can either uplift and inspire others, or bring them down. Being mindful of the impact our words have on others can help us to communicate more effectively and build stronger, more positive relationships.
Believe in Yourself!
5. The Things You Do
Routines and habits are an integral part of our daily lives. Whether we realize it or not, the things we do on a regular basis can have a significant impact on our thoughts, feelings, and overall well-being. It is often said that our habits and routines shape who we are as individuals.
The influence of our routines and habits can be both positive and negative. On the one hand, good habits can help us achieve our goals, improve our health, and make us feel better about ourselves. On the other hand, bad habits can hold us back, damage our health, and lead to feelings of guilt and shame.
It is important to be mindful of the habits and routines we engage in and to make a conscious effort to cultivate positive ones. By doing so, we can shape ourselves into the kind of people we want to be and lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.
“Never mistake motion for action. A rocking horse moves, but I’ve yet to see a kid who has traveled anywhere on it.” ~ Martin Meadows
Limit Negativity in Different Parts of Life
Spend more time with people who inspire you to level up, and less time with people who diminish your goals and dreams.
Read more, listen to informative podcasts, watch lighter and happier content.
Spend more time in places that encourage your growth, and more time doing things that lift your spirits.
Replace negative influences with positive feedback.
Now that you know why you need to know who and what influences you, you can make more mindful choices about what you allow in your life. Keep your vibe high and live a happy and authentic life.
Spirited Earthling is more than just a blog – it's a gathering place for kindred spirits drawn by an interest in self-discovery, the appeal of self-care, and a desire for a deeper connection to the world. Written and created for curious minds and spiritual hearts seeking meaning in everyday life, this blog aims to help you curate your wholesome personal growth with free weekly ideas and affordable resources for sale.
As you navigate your personal growth journey using the words and ideas shared here, consider sharing this blog with someone looking for inspiration or motivation on their own journey. We are all spirited earthlings, and can lift each other together with mindful, connected living.
Thank you for being part of this community.
Best wishes, warmest regards
Jordan
Exercise: Choose one aspect of your daily life and review your influences and time spent on activities.
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This Book of Affirmations is designed for those who wish to use affirmations but lack the time to find them. This collection provides a variety of affirmations aimed to reshape your thinking on various life themes, foster gratitude, and help establish a mindset that aligns with your desired life.