Sharpening Iron or Dulling Blades

Iron sharpens iron. Man, there are some people that I absolutely cannot wait to be around. Every single time that I see them, they put me in a good mood. They always have encouraging and uplifting words to say. They check on me, my wife, and my daughter just to make sure that things are going well. They just make me feel so good about myself while at the same time helping me to become a better person overall. And of course, I share my same respect and admiration for them. We are all just like-minded individuals who are growing and trying to get to the next level in every area of our lives. I love it! I love it! I love it! This is what it means by iron sharpening iron. We make each other better. We encourage each other. We uplift each other. We push each other. The conversations are different.  Not only should you desire to be around individuals like this, but strive to be one yourself. Be the type of person who makes someone better just because they were in your presence. If you are not helping people to become better, then you are doing the opposite. 

Why is it so much easier to find people who are not going to help encourage you to grow? They are dulling your blade. Are they bad people, no. Like I said earlier, the conversation is different. It just does not produce growth. These individuals aren’t necessarily coming to you with gossip or trying to slander other people (although some do). They are of a different mindset. You may be an entrepreneur trying to get to a new level. They may discourage you by telling you how things aren’t going to work or how you need to play it “safe.” You may be talking about possibly making financial moves by investing in a new venture. Since they have a completely different outlook on how things should be done, they will try and talk you out of it. The conversation is different even when it comes to relationships. You may be a person just like me who wants to do more activities that involve your spouse. They, on the other hand, want to do more activities that involve them being away from their spouses. Again, these are not bad people, their outlook is just different. If you’re not careful, you’ll be talked out of your dreams before you even open your eyes. 

It is so important that you surround yourself with like-minded individuals who are moving in the same direction. If you are an entrepreneur, surround yourself with other entrepreneurs and people who are successful. You don’t even have to be in the same industry. Having that same mentality is what matters. If you cannot find people like this close to you, then be willing to invest in yourself to go to conferences where you can be around other people like you. If you want a better marriage, be around married couples who are wanting and are striving to create a better marriage themselves. Apply this principle to all areas of your life. Iron sharpens iron. You may not see it now, but the people in your circle will cause you to either make tremendous steps forward or cause you to stay where you’re at. What are you exposing yourself to? Now that’s something to think about.