The type of people within our friendship circle can tell us a lot about ourselves. We are only as good as the people committed to being in our life. The compound effect of the people you spend your time with is huge, which is why it’s always said: you are who you surround yourself with. When you treat people how you want to be treated, you are more likely to attract the right kind of friendships.

You are who you surround yourself with: Who is in your friendship circle? 

The selection of your environment, friends, and mentors is instrumental to how far you will go. While selecting people around you, there are some factors you need to take into account.

Examples of these factors are: 

1. High-spirited individuals

When selecting friends, you must be careful of the energy that comes with them. You want to be careful not to get attached to individuals with low spirits who have no positive outlook. Energy is infectious, so you have to look out for this factor.

2. Disciplined individuals

Another factor to look out for is their commitment to life’s goals. As mentioned earlier, energy attracts, and so does commitment. Stay among focused people and you will become a better person. You begin to see yourself sticking out to things until it works out due to the influence of people around you because you are who you surround yourself with. Disciplined individuals understand the power of compound effort, believe in the process, and are always ready to see things through. These are the kind of individuals you want around you.

3. Trustworthiness

This is people’s ability to be relied on despite all odds. When making the selection of friends, look out for integrity and dependability. Treat people how you want to be treated; you need people who you can count on when all chips are down.

4.  Ability to give sound judgment

You need wise individuals in your friendship circle. People who think in the right direction, who you can ask for advice when confused. Wisdom is the principal thing; to excel next year, you need enough of this in your life and that of the individuals around you.

5. Compatibility in values

Values are the basic tenets that guide our decision. It is our belief system and things we hold sacred and highly esteemed. One of the ultimate values when it comes to relationships is to treat people how you want to be treated. The people around you and within your friendship circle should share the same values as yours. Values influence our habits, and habits shape our lives. You are who you surround yourself with. Nothing happens if we refuse to act, and daily habits influence the quality of our actions.

Take inventory of the company you keep. 

We are a combination of the people we surround ourselves with. Words and energy are powerful, so we must be careful of our associations and those around us. You don’t have control over your immediate family, however, you can choose the people you spend your time with. If you start putting yourself in a group with like-minded individuals who are growth-focused, then your subconscious mind is influenced for the better.

3 ways to evaluate your circle

Do they enhance the quality of your life- Pick out each individual in your cycle and take a deep look at how they influence you. Do they impact you positively or negatively? Are you becoming a better person by being with them, or are you worse off from your potential self? Answers to these questions should guide your decision on what to do with them.

Are they people of integrity?- Integrity is an important virtue in friendship; you have no business having deceitful individuals in your circle. It should consist of people you can trust and rely on when push comes to shove.

Do they forgive and let go of grudges quickly? It’s almost impossible not to offend people in your close circle, but what matters most is the ability to resolve issues amicably and let go of the past. Negativity thrives off unforgiveness; you shouldn’t allow that in your circle.

Conclusion: Be picky about who you allow into your friendship circle.

Be honest with yourself in the new year about your friends, actions, and self-evaluation. Do not live in deceit and expect outcomes different from your actions. The power of proximity is huge. Relationships are two dimensional, you pour into others, and they pour into you. It would be best if you cultivated the habit of developing relationships with valuable people within and outside your spheres. Remember, you are who you surround yourself with.

Going into 2023, let these factors guide you into the type of people you allow in your life.