The Power of Influence

Hi, I'm Keonie Hollingsworth...Mentor.....Life Coach....and Podcast Motivational Speaker, and I invite you to the Becoming My Best Me Podcast. In today's session, we will discuss the power of influence ....Join the conversation! Thank you so much for all the support!

Transcript

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Hi, I'm Keanu Hollinsworth, mentor, life coach, and podcast motivational speaker. And I want to welcome you to becoming my best friend. In today's session, we want to discuss the power of influence. So you know what to do. Join the conversation and let's talk. Welcome back, everyone. First off, as always, I want to give a huge thanks to all my listeners that join me each session as we discuss new topics on how we can become our best selves. Y'all know I really, really appreciate the continued support. Also, don't forget to send me a shout out via text on the Apple Podcasts and iHeart platforms if you're listening there. Or you can send me a direct email at becoming my bestme1 at gmail.com. Again, that is becoming my bestme, the number one at gmail.com. Okay, so today we want to dive into something that impacts every single one of us, whether we realize it or not. The power of influence and the importance of surrounding ourselves with the right people. Have you ever noticed that when you're around motivated people, you feel more motivated? When you're around positive people, your outlook just totally improves. But the same thing can happen when you're around people who constantly complain, criticize, and make excuses. Instead of it being a positive outlook on things, it can start to affect your mindset in a not so good way. Um, that's because the influence is powerful. In fact, one of the most important decisions we make in life is deciding who we allow into our circles. Many people think influence is all about popularity, leadership titles, or social media followers. The truth is influence is much simpler than that. Influence is what happens when the people around us shape our thoughts, our habits, beliefs, and expectations. The conversations we have everyday matter. The people we spend our time with matter, the voices we listen to matter. Whether we intend and whether we intend it or not, we are constantly being influenced by our environment. So, why does influence matters? If I can pronounce my words, let's try that again. So, why does influence matter so much? I will give you four reasons why. Number one, influence impacts our mindset. The people around us can shape how we view challenges, opportunities, and even ourselves. Positive influences help us develop confidence and resilience, while negative influences can create doubt and limit our potential. Number two, influence affects our habits. We naturally adopt behaviors from those we spend the most time with. If we surround ourselves with people who are disciplined, goal-oriented, and grow focused, those habits often begin to show up in our own lives. Number three, influence shapes our expectations. The people in our circle help define what we believe is possible. When we're surrounded by people who dream big, pursue goals, and overcome obstacles, we begin to believe that we can do the same thing. And number four, influence impacts our future. The decisions we make, the risks we're willing to take, and the goals we pursue are often connected to the encouragement or discouragement we receive from those around us. The right influences can help us move closer to our purpose, while the wrong influences can keep us stuck. Think about a goal you're working towards. Maybe you're pursuing a degree, building a career, improving your health, starting a business, or just simply trying to become a better version of yourself. You tell me which group you think you should be around. Let's talk about group one. This group encourages encourages you by saying, You can do this. Keep going. What's your next step? And I'm proud of your progress. Group two, why are you even trying? That sounds too hard. You probably never finish. Or you just need to give up. Which group are you choosing? I am for sure choosing group one. That's obvious. Between the two groups, it's easy to see which group will help you grow. The people around us either push us forward or pull us backwards. They either challenge us to become better or encourage us to stay comfortable. One of the biggest misconceptions about healthy relationships is that supportive people always agree with us. That is so not true. The right people don't always tell us what we want to hear, they tell us what we need to hear, and that's important. You need to have people around you that tells you what you need to hear. They challenge us, hold us accountable, and encourage growth. Sometimes the most influential people in our lives are the ones who lovingly push us beyond our comfort zones. A true friend doesn't help you stay stuck. A true friend helps you move forward. It's important to occasionally take inventory of your circle. Ask yourself, who is influencing my life right now? Why do I call or why do I call them or who do I call when I'm struggling? Who celebrates my wins? Who encourages my goals? Do those relationships leave me feeling energized or exhausted, inspired or discouraged, focused or distracted? This isn't about judging people at all. It's about awareness. Not everyone is meant to walk with us through every season of life. As we grow, our circle may change, and that's completely normal. Growth often requires us to be intentional about who has access to our time, energy, and attention. There's another side to this conversation as well. It's not just about finding the right people, it's also about becoming the right person. Are you encouraging others? Are you speaking life into people's goals? Are you helping others grow? Are you showing up with positivity and purpose? The influence you have on others is just as important as the influence they have on you. You never know when a kind word, a message of encouragement, or a simple act of support could change someone's day or even their life. As we wrap up, I want to leave you with this thought. Your future is shaped by your daily choices, your habits, and the people you choose to walk alongside. Choose people who inspire growth. Choose people who challenge you to be better. Choose people who celebrate your successes and support you through setbacks. And most importantly, strive to be that person for someone else. Influence is powerful. The right people can help you see possibilities where you once saw obstacles. They can remind you of your potential when you've forgotten it in yourself. Sometimes the right conversation at the right moment can change the entire direction of a person's life. So I have a simple quote that will sum this all up. Show me your circle, and I'll show you your future. The people around you influence what you believe, what you pursue, and ultimately who you become. Dan Martell. Well, that's all I have, everyone. Join me next time as we discuss how we can become our best selves. Ciao, I don't know.