Circles of influence

There’s a very small group of people whose opinions we should take seriously.  Everyone outside of these close circles is probably worth ignoring. 

The inner circles are clarity. The outer circles are cacophony. 

We have a new idea, a new venture, a new direction for our life. We dream and scheme and build up the courage to finally share it with others. The feedback we receive is mixed.

Some encourage us to keep going. Some question how much we’ve thought through it. If we are so bold as to put the plan into action and take steps to make it a reality there is even more feedback.

In reality, there are only a few people whose opinions should matter to us. It’s a short list of names that we could rattle off the top of our heads within a minute. Yet we allow the feedback and opinions of others outside of these small circles of people to affect the way we think about ourselves and our pursuits.

That is why I think we need to get very clear on whose opinion matters and whose doesn’t. If their opinion matters, they are within the smaller circles of influence that surround us.

These are important people in our lives. They want what is best for us and they are actively thinking about us.

Inside these circles of influence, we can find clarity.

Everyone outside of these inner circles is just thinking about themselves. Their reactions and feedback are based on their fears and desires. 

Outside the circles of influence, it’s cacophony. 

Get clear on who is in your circles of influence and find ways to hear from them more often.