The people who "have my back" ... my Rejuvenate friends and colleagues!
“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great. When you are seeking to bring big plans to fruition, it is important with whom you regularly associate. Hang out with friends who are like-minded and who are also designing purpose-filled lives. Similarly, be that kind of friend for your friends.”
-Mark Twain
Someone posted this quote on facebook this week and it really resonated with it. I re-posted it on my page and it got a tone of ‘likes.’ It’s interesting… most of us want to really “go for it” in life and live our dreams. Yet sometimes the people who seem to care about us most are scared and frightened for us. Perhaps they are worried that we may fail and be unhappy. Maybe they are worried that we will no longer be like them. Or maybe what you’re striving for just seems strange and different to them. Who knows.
But Twain said it best… be mindful of who you surround yourself with as you endeavor to live your best life and your ideal career. As I left the corporate world and started my own business, I did worry about what friends and family may think (and I still do sometimes). I went off the traditional path into this great unknown adventure that wasn’t the classic career path.
I’ll admit it… sometimes I wonder if it was the ‘right’ decision. But then I keep going back to what I love, what I’m great at, and what brings me energy. This is what’s truly important. And so I keep plunging ahead. And you know what? I love that I keep great company who cheers me on and is “in my corner”. And I keep finding new friends who are in that same space that I am… carving out a life and career and business that we love (the photo here is of some of my newer friends from the Rejuvenate Training community… they are all going for it!).
I am grateful for all of my “cheerleaders”…my fiance, Tony, my dear friends, my family… at the end of the day, they all want what will make me happy and admire the difference that I make for others. Thank goodness I have them because it’s not always easy and I know they are there when I need some extra energy or inspiration.
Who do you surround yourself with? Do they ‘have your back’ no matter what? Do they want you to live your best life?
This concept has been a common theme throughout the ‘Your Career, Your Calling (Virtual) Conference’ that I’m currently hosting. In particular, John Spence, told us that with all of the successful people he has studied (which is hundreds), he has learned that these people are very mindful of who they spend their life with. So please join us so you can spend some of your time with people like me and the other 14 experts who ‘have your back.’
And please leave your comments and reflections here!
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Kelly Harrington is a Career Expert who helps her clients to create their most happy, successful, and prosperous in the next phase of their most idea career (without having to throw away all of their great experience). She works with clients one-on-one, in groups, and speaks at events on career related topics including career fulfillment, hidden job market strategies, career transition, resume writing, and more. Please contact her any time at 310-909-7040 or info@careermaxgroup.com.
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Actual quoite by the great one is “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” Mark Twain
The rest in your quote was added by the author of a list of self improvement suggestions. This was number three if I recall correctly.
Never the less, agree with this to a large extent, One must be careful not to surround ones self with 100% “yes” folks.
It takes some sand for an oyster to make a pearl. Too much sand and its a small pearl, too little and there are rough edges.
Perhaps the 80 / 20 rule applies, in which case, a visit to some family members maybe enough sand to do the job