Top 5 People

If you spend time in the “productivity” or “self-development” corners of the internet, you’ll eventually hear this: You are the sum of the top five people you spend the most time with. 

I think this is pretty dumb. 

Business podcasters say this to convince us to spend time with people who have more money than us. But if my wife and brothers and best friend aren’t millionaires, what am I supposed to do? Stop spending time with them? Get a new family? 

A few days ago, I ran the LA Marathon. 

To celebrate, I went to a BBQ restaurant with a group of friends who have become very special to me. This group is many things: kind, creative, fun-loving, present, humorous. But they’re not marathon runners. 

However, at that dinner, I heard some interesting things...

“If you sign up for the LA Marathon next year, I’ll do it with you.” 

“Let me know if you’re eyeing another one. You’re inspiring me to sign up.”

“Let’s go on a hike next weekend.”

The fascinating thing about the internet is you can spend hundreds of hours listening to the smartest, most successful people in the world. No matter what your goals are, there are massively successful people with long form podcasts that are available for free. 

You don’t have to find new friends. You can get all the information you need to succeed. Then, you can set goals of your own, and accomplish them with the support of your community. And almost on accident, you’ll inspire your community to achieve what they didn’t think was possible before. 

Then they’ll inspire you back.