Over a decade ago, I heard someone say something that has stuck with me ever since.
He said: “You are the average of the 5 people you associate with most.”
That really impacted me on a gut level.
Simply put, if you hang around all “10s,” you’ll be a 10.
If you hang around “3s” and “4s,” you can’t help but to be somewhere in between.
That’s why, at an early age, I made it a point to hang around superstars — people who were “9s” and “10s.” In fact, I didn’t mind being the underdog of the group because in doing so, I was raising my average.
Just do the math:
10 + 9 + 10 + 10 + 9 = 48
48 divided by 5 = 9.6
I don’t know about you but I’ll take a 9.6 any day!
Here’s the problem though:
Most people find it difficult to hang out with people who are smarter, sharper, and more skilled than them. They either get uncomfortable, self-conscious, nervous, not confident, or feel out of place.
Other folks on the other hand enjoy being the top dog… even if they’re just a 6. They’ll purposefully hang out with “3s” and “4s” to make themselves feel better. They have a false sense of confidence.
Now, don’t get me wrong… we all come from different environments and some leave a lot to be desired. This isn’t about forgetting where you’ve come from. Rather, this is about REQUIRING everyone around you to be their best.
Sure, an old friend may be a “5” in your estimation. The question is do they want to remain at a 5? If so, you can’t afford to have a “5” bringing you down (sorry, it’s the truth). Because that’s exactly what will happen! Some people bring you up… others tear you down.
There’s a difference between someone who wants to grow and someone who is complacent.
I learned a long time ago: “I don’t mind hanging with someone who doesn’t have anything… but it’s a PROBLEM when I start hanging out with folks who don’t want to BE anything!”
That’s the difference.
When it comes to music, the same applies.
If you hang around mediocre musicians, you’ll be mediocre. There’s no one there to challenge you… to give you the honest truth about your music from their higher perspective.
Likewise, if you’re the best musician in your area, you’ll most likely find your ceiling soon for the same reasons.
That’s why it’s important to get around folks who raise your average. Folks that make you think a totally different way. Folks that cause you to have paradigm shifts.
Sometimes, it’s hard to get to these types of musicians in person. But thank God we have the internet and resources like “Musician Breakthrough.”
Simply put, Musician Breakthrough is a collection of musicians that are “10s.” When you expose yourself to this type of musicianship, you can’t help but to be transformed.
It not only demonstrates what is possible for you (because there’s no difference between them and YOU) but it shows you in vivid detail what you have to do to get there.
I believe it is the best resource available to raise your “musical average.”
(Now, outside of music, I can’t help ya with raising your average directly but my advice above will certainly do you well. But in your music, Musician Breakthrough is your key to becoming a better musician.)
Click here for more information about the program.
So if you don’t remember anything else, remember: “You’re the average of the 5 people you hang around most” (and this can be applied to friends, acquaintances, musicians, etc).
Until next time.
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