The people you associate with have an enormous Meaning Factcheck Usage

Context

In the book, Tracy presents this as one of the key “secrets” that separate the highly successful from everyone else. He frames it as a conscious choice, a strategy. It’s not about luck; it’s about deliberately building a “mastermind” group that elevates you.

Usage Examples

So, how do you actually use this? It’s a powerful lens for so many situations.

• For an Ambitious Entrepreneur: I’ll tell them, “Stop going to generic networking events. Find the one or two people in your city who are where you want to be in five years. Buy them coffee. Ask smart questions. That single connection is worth more than a hundred business cards from people who don’t inspire you.”
• For a Manager Building a Team: I’d say, “Hire for attitude and ambition, not just skill. One high-performer with a growth mindset will raise the bar for your entire team. They become a magnet for other talented people.”
• For Someone Feeling Stuck: My advice is always, “Audit your conversations from the last week. Were they mostly about problems and gossip? Or about ideas and solutions? The content of your conversations reveals the quality of your associations. It’s time to find a new peer group, maybe a mastermind or a professional association.”

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FAQ

Question: Does this mean I should ditch my old friends who aren’t “successful”?

Answer: Not at all. It’s about balance and intention. You don’t have to abandon anyone. But you do need to be conscious of the influence and make a deliberate effort to add new, growth-oriented people to your circle to counterbalance any negative influences.

Question: How can I find these “high-impact” people to associate with?

Answer: Start by going to where they gather. Industry conferences, specialized workshops, online communities focused on your goals. Be a contributor, not just a lurker. Offer value first, and relationships will follow.

Question: What if my current workplace is full of negative people?

Answer: This is a tough one. You have two main levers. First, you can try to become the positive influence and see if you can shift the culture, even slightly. Second, and more effectively, you can build your positive network outside of work. Your professional associations and mentors don’t have to be your direct coworkers.