There is nothing like catching up with old friends – especially best friends.

Last night, I got to hang out with my best cycling buddy. We haven’t seen each other in AGES.  We talked, had a couple glasses of wine, and caught up.

I gave him advice on business.  He gave me advice on love.  Both of us walked away with the absolute best “therapy” and “strategy” session money could buy.

(Note: my friend is also the #1 sales guy at his company.  He is one smart cookie!)

What would I do without my extremely smart, fun, loving, and successful friends?!

You can’t fly with eagles if you run with turkeys!

What kind of support system do you have around you?  What sort of people do you choose to surround yourself with?  What are you dreaming of creating in your life?

The people you surround yourself with directly influence your ability to succeed and realize your dreams.

Whether you like it or not.

Assess how serious you are about realizing your dream.  Then, take an inventory of the people around you.   Who supports you?  Who believes in you?  What do your friends do for a living?  Your family?  How do their life choices support you in realizing your goals?  How do their life choices hinder you in realizing your goals?

Dude… I am not saying to stop talking to your friends and family because your dreams are more important than the people around you.  No way!

What I am saying is that you must choose your company wisely.  That includes how much time you spend with the people who’s life choices may be holding you back.

This isn’t always an easy thing but it also doesn’t have to be mean or nasty.

Three Steps to Expand Your Circle of Influence (and realize your dreams!)

Step 1: Simply, take an inventory of who surrounds you.  What is their lifestyle like?  What kinds of choices do they make?

Step 2: What kind of people do the work you dream of doing or live the life you dream of having?  Who do they surround themselves with?  What people comprise their social circles and their interactions in their daily lives?

Step 3: What do you have to do to EXPAND YOUR CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE?

In other words, how can you get outside your comfort zone and start befriending the people that are living the life and work you dream of?  It’s time to get creative, get social, and start expanding.

Pay attention to where they hang out, the restaurants they frequent, the sports or fitness teams they participate in, or the philanthropic organizations that volunteer with.

There are a million and one ways to get outside your comfort zone and surround yourself with the people who want to help you realize your dreams.

What is one activity you plan on doing this week to expand your circle of influence?

What kind of support do you have for writing your book?  Join my Facebook book writing group!  Better yet…