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Do You Hang With the Right Crowd?

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Valdosta chapter.

Before reading this article, I want you to sit back and think about your biggest dreams and accomplishments that you have set for yourself…Have you done that? Now, take a moment to think about the people you surround yourself with. Have those people in mind? Now, the last thing I want you to think about is how many of those people do you believe are positively influencing your mindset, way of thinking, and your pursuit to accomplish those goals you previously thought about?

The people we surround ourselves with are 9/10 one of the biggest influences on how we go about accomplishing the goals we have set for ourselves. If the people that we hang out with are lazy, complainers and unmotivated, then their bad habits will eventually begin to trickle onto us. Your dreams of becoming a lawyer, a teacher, a novelist, or a big time movie star will seem impossible to reach if you are constantly feeding your spirit with the negative energy that your peers are bringing upon you. Am I saying that if you have lazy friends you need to completely cut them out your life? No, that’s not what I’m saying at all. What I am saying though is try to occasionally surround yourself with different people. People that inspire you, challenge your thinking and make you really step your game up!

Someone once told me that your circle friends should be people who are better than you. The first time I heard that, my face scrunched up and I scratched my head because I did not fully understand the concept of that advice. I thought, “Why would I want to be friends with someone who was better than me? Wouldn’t that kill my self-esteem?” Well the truth is, if being friends with someone who is better than you kills your self-esteem rather than motivates you to do better, then your desire to succeed probably isn’t deep as you thought it was. Make friends that succeed in areas where you lack and be willing to help your friends if they have weaknesses in the areas that you consider your strong points. I want to provide you guys with some ways to ensure you are hanging with the right crowd.

  1. Be friends with people you wouldn’t mind being associated with.
  2. Be friends with people who are willing to grow both mentally and spiritually with you.
  3. Be friends with people that don’t downplay or criticize your aspirations.
  4. Be friends with people who look for career opportunities for you while they look for opportunities for themselves.
  5. Be friends with people who tell you that you are slipping, and need to get back on your GRIND!

“Don’t let small minded people keep you from accomplishing your big dreams.” That quote is so simple, but it speaks so much truth! Surround yourself with individuals that help you grow. You don’t have to cut off every single one of your friends with bad habits, because the truth is, we all have them – just try expanding your social circle. You never know, you may learn something new or even gain a new career focus or passion.

It’s time to make some changes. You’ll never know where you’ll go if you just allow yourself to fully grow! HCXO!

Lauren Ashli, formally known as Lauren Thomas is a native of Atlanta, Ga. She is currently a senior at Valdosta State University studying public relations and communication. After graduation, Lauren plans on working full time as a broadcast journalist for a major magazine company or television station. When she's not working behind the camera, Lauren spends time in the dance studio, working on her own personal businesses, socializing, and listening to her all time favorite artist Beyonce Knowles. You can follow her on Instagram @lauren.ashli, and on Twitter @MsLauren_Ashli. You can also visit her personal website www.laurenashli.com
Her Campus at Valdosta State.