There are several rules that decide the origin, highlight, and the ultimate fate of every society. There’s the commonality of values, however temporary that may be, deciding it’s appearance. A set of people brought together for whatever the reason, though deciding to stay together far enough the needs of survival, defined in myriad of ways. Then there’s the bright spot – a society rises, grows, and ultimately outshines every other around, attracting all kinds of decent folks, along with freeloaders and some plankton.
Then, as it inevitably fades, it reaches state of stability. Low enough not to become a spot on a radar for big sharks, big enough to thrive. Hey, have you thought about the people around you? Your closest circle of friends.
What are they like?
Seriously, sit there for a while and figure out what it is that defines your inner circle.
What are they like? What is it that defines them? What are the core beliefs that hold them together?
Really, write it down.
Got that? Now it’s going to get harder.
Look at the things you figured out. If you average them out, they will quite accurately describe the actual reality of one person.
That person is you.
There’s a reason for that. Being a ultrasocial species, we seek acceptance above everything else. Whatever role we currently play in the society – father, mother, single at particular age range – there are things our inner circle expects us to do. Everyone outside it expects everybody within to adhere to adequate set of rules.
The system scales up indefinitely, to encompass whole mankind, though that’s irrelevant.
Thing is, subconsciously, you will attempt to comply to rules of your inner circle. Ever heard of all those idiot kids doing the dumbest things imaginable? They do it for the very same reason for which you’re buying a flat on a 40-year mortgage, an enormous size TV set, and get a new car every four years. Odds are, you need neither of these.
Though everyone around has them. Darn it!
And as you might thing I just made my point, I’m not even close.
Career-wise, how far up do you think all these people in your inner circle might get? Executive status? Start-up owner? Just a regular Joe?
Whatever your circle is, you will attempt to keep up with them.
- Hang out with the winners, winners you shall be.
- Hang out with the average Joe, average Joe you shall be.
- Hang out with losers bringing you down, a loser bringing others down you shall be.
There’s the old saying:
“If you hang around with five idiots, you will be the sixth.”
Now, let me state the obvious. It is cruel. Some people just aren’t cut for big wins, epic achievements, and coming victorious out of the greatest of risks. And that’s perfectly okay. There’s nothing wrong with this.
As long as you make a conscious choice.
Now, look around you again. Do you think these people will help you go up, or bring you down to the level of their acceptable mediocrity?
Just don’t be cruel when making cuts. It’s not their fault they feel complacent. It’s not your fault you don’t. It’s just the fact of life.
Look around, make your choice, cut mercilessly.
Don’t be a sixth idiot. Unless, obviously, you want to. That’s your choice.