In this article, we’ll discuss how the people you associate with -- both positive and negative people -- can profoundly affect your life.

The two terms I use for negative people are “toxic people” and “dream crusher.”

Recall a time when you told someone, such as a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, or even a family member, about something that was very important to you, only to hear them say things like:

“You can’t do that!”

“You’ll never be able to achieve it!”

Or some other negative statement that caused you to doubt your own potential and think they may be right.

Unfortunately, we all have.

If you still have some of these people in your life, you must avoid them at all costs. Otherwise they’re going to tell you all the reasons why you can’t achieve your dreams, instead of just one reason why you absolutely can.

If you listen to their negative statements repeatedly, eventually you’ll believe them.

As the popular motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, says:

In other words, if you want to achieve a certain goal or dream, then associate with the people who have similar goals or dreams. If you want to be proactive, cheerful, optimistic, positive, or enthusiastic, then socialize with proactive, cheerful, optimistic, positive, and enthusiastic people.

If you hang out with negative, unpleasant, angry, or sad people, sooner or later you’ll adopt the same bad behaviors -- no matter how cheerful or enthusiastic you were before you started mingling with them.

Haven’t you noticed how a certain group of people, who maybe had nothing in common with each other before they came together, all seem to act and behave (and even dress) like each other, even after only a short period?

If you’re hang out with someone who doesn’t give you proper support as you’re working toward achieving your goals, or someone who always puts you down, please stop doing so and:

In my own life, in the last ten years, I’ve disassociated myself from dozens of “toxic” people and made new sets of friends. Many these new friends have supported me through tough times as I was working toward achieving my aspirations.

Whenever they would see me encounter obstacles, they would say to me, “Larry, hang in there. You can do it. We believe in you. We know you can make your dreams come true.”

And many times, it was their incredible support that gave me the courage, strength, and faith to move forward when I felt like giving up.

Please take inventory of the people who you’re associating with, and figure out how they’re impacting your life -- whether positively or negatively.

If they don’t empower or support you in obtaining your goals, then cut them loose.

If some of these negative folks are your family members that you see and interact with regularly, then you probably can’t avoid them completely. So whenever they say to you, “You can’t do that,” or another similar statement, affirm to yourself:

While this exercise may seem silly, let me assure you, it’s incredibly powerful. It really works. So try it.

Now, if you’re not getting the support you need or want at home, it’s very important to acquire it from someone who will listen to you without being judgmental, such as a friend, a neighbor, a teacher, a counselor, a relative, or a co-worker.

Let me clarify an important point. Please understand that while your family members or friends may put you down or may not believe in your ability to realize your aspirations, they still love and care about you very much.

In fact, most of these people act the way they do because they love you so much. They don’t want you to get hurt or disappointed by setting your goals too high and then not being able to accomplish them.

Unfortunately, although they may have good intentions, they don’t understand these facts about you:

First: your burning desire to do whatever it takes to make your dreams a reality.

Second: your belief that if you’ve done your best, giving 100% effort, then no matter what the outcomes are, you’ve succeeded!

Your family members, relatives, or friends also don’t know how to deal with you because they weren’t taught how to handle people who have big dreams. So please give them time to get used to your high energy, enthusiasm, and excitement about life. And within a short period, you may be able to transfer some of your positive energy to them.

On the other hand, if, after a while, they still don’t give you necessary support or they treat you in a manner that you don’t like, then find and talk to someone else who will understand and support you.

Another way to deal with the negativity from the people who you associate with is to read inspiring books or listen to motivating tapes by some of the world’s top success coaches, such as Og Mandino, Napolean Hill, Denis Waitley, Brian Tracy, Tony Robbins, W. Clement Stone, Zig Ziglar, Jim Rohn, Les Brown, Norman Vincent Peale, Mark Victory Hansen, and many others.

Each one of these “success coaches” or mentors will tell you, through their books and tape programs, that you’re the greatest miracle in the world and that you have the ability to achieve the dreams you’ve set or will set for yourself. Best of all, they’ll show you effective ways to turn them into reality, quicker and easier than you can imagine.

Let me conclude this article by discussing with you this important point. If you haven’t been as supportive or understanding to the people you care about, such as your family members, friends, or co-workers, the next time one of them shares their goals or dreams with you, say to them:

This will mean so much to that person, and he or she will be grateful for your support.

As I’ve mentioned, a lot of people, especially children and teenagers, don’t get the kind of support they need from the people closest to them. If you were to listen to them intensely and tell them that you believe they have the ability to turn their dreams into reality, they’ll be able to use your encouragement to conquer any obstacles they may encounter.

Here’s a wonderful poem about friendship:

A Friend is a person whom you can trust, who won't turn away from you;
A friend will be there when you really need someone, and will come to you
when they need help.

A friend will listen to you even when they don't understand or agree with
your feelings;
A friend will never try to change you but appreciate you for who you are;
A friend doesn't express too much or give too little;

A friend is someone whom you can share dreams, hopes, and feelings with;
A friend is a person whom you can think of and suddenly smile;
A friend doesn't have to be told that they are special because they know
you feel that way.

A friend will accept your attitudes, ideas, and emotions, even when their
own are different, and will hold your hand when you're scared;

A friend will be honest with you even when it might hurt, and will forgive
you for the mistakes you make;
A friend can never disappoint you and will support you and share in your
glory;
A friend shares responsibilities when you have doubts.

A friend always remembers the little things you've done, the times you've
shared and the talks you've had;
A friend will bend over backwards to help you pick up the pieces when
your world falls apart;

Have an awesome day!

Larry Lee

P.S. On our website you'll find all the tools you need to overcome your challenges and to achieve your aspirations... quicker and easier than you can imagine. Check them out...

Go to the next Success Tip.

Return to the previous Success Tip.

Back to the list of Success Tips.

Do you want to have a unique software to store all the great quotations you've collected over the years?

Are you an author or student who wants to find the perfect quotes for your book or essay... quickly and easily?

Do you want to get the world's most popular quotation software absolutely free?

If you answered "yes" to one of these questions, click here for full details...