Get Those Squares out Your Circle
Do you remember Rocko’s song, “Squares Out Your Circle?” Besides the catchy beat and the misuse of the imaginary word, worser, the song was Hella Relevant (#InsecureTaughtMe) relevant when it comes to growth and influence.
“You got people that surround you
They gone try they best to down you
Keep them squares up out your circle
What don’t kill you gone hurt you
And its only gone get worser
And it’s only you get worser”
I’m not 100% sure what Rocko is up to nowadays, I figured I talk about someone who seemingly has no squares in his circle. When I tell you I study Shawn Carter like a living and breathing case study — I mean it. Hov epitomizes what it means to have a mogul mentality, influence the culture, and lift as you climb. Granted I’ve never had an in-depth discussion with my mentors but I attribute a large fraction of their success to their “inner circles.”
FYI, I actually haven’t had a discussion of any depth and I’m 112% confident they don’t know they’re my mentors…or that I exist, yet.
“Either love me or leave me alone.
— Jay Z, ‘Public Service Announcement’
This morning I thought about how we spend some much time and energy in relationships that are not, for lack of a better word, beneficial. I’m not talking about toxic, unhealthy relationships, I’m talking about spending abundant energy where that energy isn’t valued. We have huge circles, full of “squares,” that aren’t making us better, aren’t valuing our time, and don’t believe in our vision.
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?”
2 Corinthians 6:14
These thoughts led me to whip up a quick Instagram caption on the importance of Being Selective. No matter what situation you’re in, it’s imperative to surround yourself with those that make you greater or propel you into your purpose.
“You are the average of the five people you most associate with,”
-Tim Ferriss
During a presentation Ferris gave in San Francisco, he suggested that the five people that you spend the most time with shape who you are.
The rule theorizes that the five people you spend the most time with shape who you are. It borrows from the law of averages, which is the theory that “the result of any given situation will be the average of all outcomes.” We might interact with many people, but the few who are closest to us have the greatest impact on our way of thinking and our decisions.
For all intents and purposes of illustrating my own point, I typed in “Jay Z+Friends” into my Google search bar, and this is what I found:
While it’s easy to argue that, “Shawn Carter is a Mega-Celebrity so it makes sense that all of his friends are celebrities, too.” I’d argue that if you take the time to study Carter, you’ll realize that each of his close friends or “inner circle” are full of individuals that believe in his purpose (Yonce), motivates him (Sean Combs), his businesses partners (Steve Stoute), that he mentors (Kanye West/Chance the Rapper), mentors him (Warren Buffet), keeps him grounded (Yonce, again), or helps him grow (President Obama).
Here are some of my personal suggestions on some of the people you should have in your circle:
- Some to motivate you — this is an individual that is grinding so hard it almost makes you look bad, they keep you motivated and inspired to achieve your own greatness.
- Someone that will humble you — in a world full of yes-men and yes-women it’s important to have someone that will let you know when you have an idea that truly sucks.
- Someone that compensates your weakness — utilize your time to master your strengths and stop wasting time on trying to perfect your weakness, outsource those weaknesses.
- Someone that keeps you grounded — this is someone that reminds you of your core values, your faith, and where you come from.
- Someone that cheers you on — sometimes all you need is a cheerleader and someone that will say “great job” at the right time.
- Someone that can mentor you — this is someone that has been where you are now or is where you are trying to go. You need not learn every lesson on your own, have some teach you.
Be Great,
BMills
To connect with me or see what I’m up to, visit,www.brandonemiller.comand follow me at @thatguybmills!
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