Are you in a room with people that make you better?

Are you in a room with people that make you better?

This was the exact question that one of my mentors asked me about year ago when I was contemplating a change and seeking his guidance on where to double down on.

Success leaves breadcrumbs!

The most reliable predictor of your future isn't your academic scores, your family connections, or even your work ethic – it's the five people you spend the most time with. Think about that for a moment.

Look around your "room." I'm not talking about your physical space, but your sphere of influence. Who's in there with you? Are they pushing you toward excellence or mediocrity? Are they challenging your assumptions or nodding along? Are they living lives that inspire you or ones that make you feel comfortable about underachieving?

The harsh truth: Most of us are carrying dead weight. We maintain relationships out of habit, convenience, or fear. We surround ourselves with people who validate our excuses rather than shred them. It's comfortable. It's also toxic.

High performers – whether in business, athletics, or the arts – understand this intuitively. They cultivate relationships with people who are either ahead of them or sprinting alongside them. They seek out mentors who've walked the path and peers who match their ambition. They're allergic to complacency.

Here's the test: After spending time with someone, do you feel energized or drained? Inspired or diminished? Are you more likely to hit the gym or hit the snooze button? Read a book or scroll Instagram? The answers matter.

Making changes isn't easy. Upgrading your circle often means making difficult decisions about long-standing relationships. But remember: You're not being elitist; you're being intentional.

Your potential is too valuable to be diluted by people who are satisfied with average!