The “right soil” Entry

This week I found one of the journals I used in senior school. It was 6/7 years ago. A lot has changed, but my beliefs, shockingly, are still the same. 

One of my journal entries was about friendships. I ended the entry with a quote I wrote;

“You are like a seed, your friends are the soil. Their characteristics matter for you to grow.”

I remain a very big believer in the power your circle has over your future. 

You can try to unbox your mind and reach for the stars, but if you surround yourself with people that are constantly speaking negativity into your plans,  it will be hard to hit your goals. 

No one is that strong, trust me. You might think it does not affect you, but the words they say are seeds. The way they act when you speak about your dreams are being registered in your subconscious. Before you know it, you start seeing things as impossible like them. 

The first 2 steps to thinking out of the box and entering the realms of possibilities from the past 2 weeks are :

1. Unbox your mind
2. Build capacity

The last one for today is; 

1. Surround yourself with positive people

Your environment is very important if you want to grow and achieve your goals. 

Let me let you in on a secret. If you are finding it hard to see yourself as an achiever, find achievers to be around. I can assure you, within weeks, your mind will open up to see limitless possibilities.

Leave your little corner. Where you are you might think you’re the best of the best till you go out there and see people doing amazing things.

You can connect to achievers through books. This is my favorite way. Look out for people breaking boundaries in your field, if they have written anything read it. 

Another way is through conferences. 

The first conference I ever attended was in university. 

Just spending one afternoon with the speakers opened my mind up so much. 

Last year I attended a conference out of the country. Meeting people my age from different countries and backgrounds that are setting the pace in international relations was mind blowing for me. I came back home knowing I was just starting and I have so much more to do. 

The thing you think is impossible for you, there is someone out there doing it. Find them and connect with them. If you stay where you are you are, surrounded by people that only speak negatively, you’ll never know there is better out there. 

I am very selective of the friends I keep. I have big dreams and the last thing I need is for someone to sow negativity into my life. Once I discuss something important with you once and you even act a bit negative, I know to never share my dreams again. 

We can be acquaintances but if you’re not adding positivity to my life, we can’t be friends. 

This should be you too. 

You friends should be supportive. They should be able to give you constructive criticism when you are going the wrong way and cheer you on when you are doing good. Your friends should encourage you to think big, they should encourage you to build capacity to achieve your goals. 

Your relationships should make you better.

Also be the friend that encourages and makes others better. Do not look for positive people to be around then be the one drawing them back. That is why the first 2 points focused on you becoming better. The positivity starts with you then moves to your primary association.

I have been blessed with a family that loves and encourages. I’m very aware that not everyone has that. 

You don’t choose your family but you choose your friends. You choose your mentors, you choose the people you listen to. 

By all means, make sure you are surrounded but positive people that are pursuing their own goals too. 

You need the right soil to grow.

RANDOM FACT OF THE WEEK: Did you know that even plant growth is affected by sound? Studies show that plants are shown to increase growth when classical music or jazz is played. On the other hand, when metal music is played, it has a negative effect on plants as it is more jarring to the plant cells.

Even plants need to be hearing the right things to grow😏

That’s the end of our out of the box series. You have 3 simple steps. I hope you follow them and imbibe a possibility mentality.

Remember, all things are possible to you.

I wish you an awesome week!

See you next Sunday!

Your trusty growth partner,

Dee❤