Consider these two quotes:

• "Tell me your company, and I will tell you what you are." (from Don Quixote)
• "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." (Jim Rohn, self-made millionaire)

One of the most powerful ways to become financially successful is to surround yourself with the right people.

Ever since high school I wanted to be a millionaire. I didn’t want to be a millionaire so I could buy fancy things or go on crazy trips or anything like that. I wanted to be a millionaire because it was the only way I thought I could escape environments and situations that gave me incredible anxiety. As a kid, you don’t have money to live somewhere else or drive away. With a net worth of a million dollars, I could be free for good.

The problem was that no one in my life felt like a reliable role model and I didn’t have a friend group who was focused on the same goal. So I turned to books for inspiration. The Millionaire Next Door and The Million Dollar Mind by Dr. Thomas Stanley became my guiding light on all things related to being millionaire: what it takes, what it looks like, what mindset needs to be developed, what choices give you the best chance. From then on, I became almost single-mindedly focused on achieving my goal – for better or for worse.

One of the biggest takeaways from the book is that your choice of life partner is essential. In the context of becoming a millionaire, being on the same page about finances has a very powerful effect on your ability to generate wealth. Another big takeaway is that being with people that don’t share your mindset is likely to hurt your finances. Imagine you’re a frugal person and you move into a neighborhood with people who drive nice cars, throw lavish parties, and spend on luxury items. By virtue of surrounding yourself with those types of people, you’ll become more like them. Social dynamics essentially force the issue.

As my life has evolved, I’ve met many more people who have likeminded goals and also share the same energy that I have. When people aren’t around, I devour podcasts and pour through books about financial success. I’m constantly surrounding myself with the energy I need. As a result, I’ve been able to get into the right mindset, harness the right energy, and turbocharge my ability to achieve my financial goals.

On the other hand, I notice that when I’m surrounded by people with negative energy or by people who have different goals, I don’t grow. And in the worst cases, I become a lesser version of myself. In response to that, I tend to avoid situations and people that have bad energy and who live a lifestyle that’s opposite of what I’m trying to achieve. It’s the most difficult when those people are the ones closest to you.

Here's an excerpt from Daniel G. Amen M.D in his article "How To Get Out Of Your Own Way" that explains my thinking perfectly:

Who are the five people you spend the most time with? Which category do they fit into? If the world around you is negative, chances are you are too. On the other hand, if you surround yourself with positive, uplifting people, you’ll notice an almost immediate rise in your spirits. Don’t forget, you can choose the people with whom you spend your time.

The key takeaway: if you are trying to achieve a financial goal or improve your financial habits to live a better life, the key is to surround yourself with a supportive community of likeminded individuals, educate yourself with resources to get in the right mindset, and acknowledge that change is required to steer the ship towards your goals.