When I was younger I heard the expression “birds of a feather flock together.” At the time I knew what it meant superficially, but I hadn’t truly internalized it. I never gave the true meaning of the phrase any significant thought. Now, having sufficient time to reflect on it, here’s what I’ve discovered.

When I was in high school I ran track for four years. For me running on my school’s team was an amazing experience. In that time I formed friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. While competing in races was always fun, daily practice sessions weren’t. I remember being assigned to a group of runners all around my skill level. These were the people I practiced with. As I became a better runner I was moved into faster groups. Each time I entered a new group I instantly became its slowest member. I then had to work my way up the ranks until the process repeated itself. Each new group pushed me to become better than I’d ever been. These new groups didn’t allow me to get comfortable, and always pushed me to perform at my best.

I learned that if you’re the smartest kid in the class, you’re in the wrong class.

The only way to get better, on the track and in life, is to run with people who are better than you. You won’t change unless you need to. Human nature is to do what is comfortable. However, the only way to be truly successful is to be in a perpetual state of discomfort. You must become comfortable being uncomfortable. You must constantly push your comfort zone and never become complacent. I look at the runner and person I’ve become and I see that it wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t associated myself with people who were better than me. People who forced me to grow. People who saw my potential, and were determined to bring it out of me. I thank these people for molding me into who I am today.

Who you spend your time with determines how successful you will be. As motivational speaker Les Brown says, “if you run around with losers you will end up a loser.” To some that may sound a bit harsh, however, let’s think of some examples. If you hang around with motivated, passionate, adventurous people who never let failure defeat them, do you think you might act similarly? If success is the only thing around you, then you will be successful. You ask your friends and family ‘what’s going on?’, and they tell you all about their ambitious goals. Everyone around you is driven, which excites and motivates you to do the same. If all your friends are financially successful you will push yourself to their level because you know you’re just as capable and deserving as they are.

However, the opposite is also true. It’s been said you become like the five people you spend the most time with. If all your friends are self-defeating, pessimistic individuals without any zest for life, what are the chances you’ll be any different? You may be different from them now, but these types of people are draining. Sooner or later they will convince you into thinking like them. The non-stop complaining, failure to take personal responsibility for their lives, and overwhelming negativity over time are enough to break even the strongest of wills. You must avoid these people. People who go through life without any ‘spark.’ People who have no goals, no vision for their future. People who choose to waste the priceless time they’ve been given. You will not live forever. When you truly understand the magnitude of this statement you’ll see that in order to be successful you must understand that life has a sense of urgency.

Most people live their life thinking they’ll always be around.

“Oh I’ll do that tomorrow.” What makes you so sure you’ll be around tomorrow? You don’t know how much time you have left, so decide to live every day as if it was your last. Take risks, chase your dreams, exude an aura of overwhelming positivity and zest for life that is contagious. If you become this person people will do whatever they can to be around you. Why? Because you know that you only get one chance at this life, and you’re not going to let anything stop you from living life on your terms. Everyone wants this for themselves, but so few are willing to take it. When people see others passionately and energetically going about their day, they become intrigued. They want what you’ve got for themselves, and they think if they’re around you maybe something will rub off on them, and they’re right. Find people who will stand by you no matter what. People who have goals and dreams they are determined to achieve. People who make you a better person, and consistently refuse to let you settle for becoming less than you can be. People who go out looking for the circumstances they desire, and if they can’t find them, create them. Those who do this will stand out from the crowd. Become one of these people. If you want a better life than most people, you have to be willing to do the things most people aren’t willing to do. Be the exception to the rule. Become better and better as time goes on. Push yourself past your limits, continually grow, surround yourself with likeminded people, and before you know it you will have attained a level of success you never thought possible. Today is the day!

All my love, 

Your Coach – Dr. Jamil

P.S. Whenever you’re ready to continue your transformation, here are a couple of ways I can help you create the life you dream of:

Download a FREE copy of my book ‘20 Steps To Your Next Breakthrough” by CLICKING HERE. This book will give you the mindsets and strategies needed to dramatically increase your momemtum towards your goals and dreams. You can also get the Audiobook version by CLICKING HERE.

Apply to work with me directly: If you’re a leader and a high performer who wants to create an extraordinary life without regret, and you want a coaching experience completely customized and tailored for you and your needs, then CLICK HERE to begin a conversation with me. See some of the results my clients have experienced by CLICKING HERE.