Oldie but goodie...
So says top blogger and Microsoft people's hero, Robert Scoble recently.
"One of my most memorable conversations...was with Buzz Bruggeman, CEO of ActiveWords and a good friend. He told me to hang around people who are happy. And I realized I had been listening to too many people who were deeply unhappy and not bringing any value into my life."
Ask yourself: Is that happening to you? Do you remember a time when you were feeling fine, and then you talked to someone, and you ended up less happy?
Life is short, too short to hang out with people who are unhappy and make you unhappy, too. Let them find others who are unhappy and they can all hang out together in unhappyville.
The Buddha recognized clearly "right association" 2500 years ago. Religious scholar Huston Smith wrote:
"No one has recognized more clearly than the Buddha the extent to which we are social animals, influenced at every turn by the 'companioned example' of our associates, whose attitudes and values affect us profoundly." -Buddhism, a Concise Introduction
Look around you, upline, sideline, friends, family or colleagues. Who is happy and adds to your life? Who brings out the best in you?
Associate with such a person, and limit access to the rest.
5 comments :
I agree with you, but to a certain extent. What if members of your family are unhappy? What if close friends are unhappy?
Why not help them become happy instead of thinking about yourself?
And I know a few people that actually becomes happy by being around unhappy people (at least that´s my theory). When you see how "bad" some people are doing, it´s a way of thinking to yourself that "hey, maybe I am not doing so bad at all"?
- just a thought
Point taken. This is extremely important especially when I've decided to make my business goals priority #2 (#1 being family, of course). We are, after all, a combination of our closest friends/family members/coworkers, right?!
One other point. Some of the people who are unhappy don't really want to be unhappy. They need directions, or a map, if you will. I believe that the Mentoring For Free program helps those who are willing to help themselves FIND happiness becaue they learn WHO they were meant to be. Anyone in any company welcome. :)
Lisa
mammalisa.com
You're absolutely right. I often find that people who are truly unhappy are not necessarily unhappy about anything in particular. They've just become so accustomed to living that way that it's comfortable.
yes, ditch those who need you and think only about yourself.
what a self indulgent load of tripe!!
No one has said to ditch unhappy people who need you....just limit the time you spend with them and increase the time you spend with more upbeat people.
As one who was a therapist in private practice for many years, I know from experience how another’s “vibes” can be contagious and even though therapists are taught how to not get caught in those vibes – they can be powerful and have an effect on you.
The same is true in life and business – we need to know how to not “catch” the unhappiness of those around us – and one good way is to spend more time in association with happy people! Then you can be there and be more helpful to your unhappy friends and family....
Lynn
http://growolderbetter.com
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