There is a rule known as the 33% of People Rule, which basically states that there are three levels of people you should have in your life. The first third are the ones who are “beneath” you. This is not a judgment call on you being “better” than others, but rather a judgment on where people are in their lives. Those who are in this first level do not have the same goals that you do, are not as motivated as you, etc. However, this first level is important because these are the people that keep you motivated, that make you feel good, and that tell you what you want to hear. This helps to feed your ego and keep you going, especially in the hard times.
The second third are those people who are at your same level. They are striving for similar goals and are in similar places in their lives. These are the people who you can go back and forth with about ideas and topics. These are the people that are pushing in the same direction you are and help to keep you pushing toward your goals.
The third level consists of those people who are “above” you. These the people who make you feel uncomfortable because they already have what you are striving for. They have the lifestyle you want, the relationships you want, etc. These are the people who you look up to and who you strive to be like. It is important that they make you feel uncomfortable because it is only outside our comfort zones that we grow.
Throughout our lives, as we grow, the people in these three levels change and grow with us. So many speakers, coaches, and books will tell you to leave your friends behind when you are working on a change within yourself. I completely disagree with this statement. If you haven’t been able to achieve what you want with the friends you have, what makes you think you’re going to be able to do it alone?
Do not change your friends. As you change, they will either evolve with you or they will leave you. And both options are okay. Remember, people come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. And as you start to live by the 33% People Rule, you will actually become comfortable through this entire process as you continue to grow and focus on your new life, new career, and new way of living.
Live Life,
Bert Oliva