In Control

“Only you can control your future.”    Dr. Seuss

I like to be in control of my life. I want to know in advance the outcome of the effort I make in any project.  In the event of any negative surprises, I need  to have adequate preparation time in which to plan my response. How about you?

Despite my aspiration, reality exits. With two daughters and their spouses, eight grandchildren (the ‘Exceptional Eight’), and our family pet ‘River,’ I have concluded that I have very little control over my current life. Even when I think I am in control, it is an illusion at best. At this point, even my ‘thinking’ is under suspicion.  Perhaps, this newsletter is a creation of a comprehensive group of authors. What can I make of all of this?

One conclusion is obvious and easy to draw:

We are impacted in a significant way by those who surround us.  

 Even if we do not want to be affected, we are. And, unfortunately, we may not be completely free to select those encircling us. I guess we could abandon friends, or even family members, if their association could be potentially detrimental. Or, if the burden of a relationship is more than we can carry. But, short of doing this, you could say we are stuck with family, and in some instances, friends.

Those associations encompassing our daily lives  make a difference. That influence can be simultaneously positive and negative.  I can think of a two well-known axioms that support this truth:

‘One apple spoils the whole bunch.’

‘You are the company you keep.’

 Current studies and research on familial, professional and casual relationships support the timeless wisdom of these protective precepts. Dan Buettner is a leader in a number of scientific studies on what has been termed ‘blue regions’ of the world. I strongly encourage you to read the conclusions of this important research – you  may enjoy his TEDTalk.

Based on these scientific studies, Dan concludes: “The people you surround yourself with influence your behaviors, so choose friends who have healthy habits.”   And, specific behaviors will always determine, in a significant manner, the outcomes in our lives.

Do you like your current outcomes? Repeat the behaviors that are causing those results. How? Look to the people surrounding you – copy their good conduct and responses. Eliminate any defective habits you may have echoed in your own life.  Make new friends who embody the type of activities that increase the expanse of improved results.

This is not rocket science, yet, science supports the simple, significant success principle.

Increase time spent with individuals who are achieving the kind of end product  you desire. Duplicate the specific behaviors that are driving these results.  

Today . . .

I will increase my time spent with successful people;

I will copy their behaviors.