Career Advice: Challenge your social environment

When career change seems stalled, take a look at the people in your life. The people you hang out with will influence your success in many ways.

Sadly, you may have to bite the bullet and release negative people from your life. Don’t be too quick to drop someone who’s having a bad day. But every time I’ve moved away from one negative source, two positive people arrive unexpectedly.

Negativity can mean, “You have to struggle. Things are tough all over.” Or you might hear, “Why do you have to work so hard? Life is too short.” These messages are deadly. They echo in your mind while you’re working late or taking an extra course to advance your skills.

This one action alone can get you on the right track. You get ideas and connections that will move you to your goals. You get inspiration to develop new goals.

Don’t get me wrong. Many happy people downsize their career goals to make room for family and other priorities. Just match your social environment to your own goals and dreams.