My father used to always say "I know your friends, I know you" and what he meant by this is the notion that your friends are a reflection of who you are. I really believe this to be true too, as I do believe that you become like those you surround yourself with. So who do you surround yourself with, who are the top five people in your life? I thought about this today, pondered about who are the top five people I surround myself with here in Korea, and here is my list:
- Snickers
- WOW President
- Mouse Doctor
- Cat
- Panty Boy Jr.
- RUNNER UPS: Black Skinny, Stark and Motor Cross
I'm surrounded by people everyday, hello I train over 30 people a day and have numerous delivery/business connections stopping by the club all the time, but there's a huge difference between work-related people and those I associate with on a much personal level. I found some interesting correlations among my list of five people.
I've always been very attracted to extremists, whether they're extreme in a particular hobby or with their job, I've always liked people who are really intense about something. Most of the top five people in my life here in Korea, and even my runner ups, are extremists with a sport. Three of them are boxing champions, one loves their cycling, and two love their racing. One does car racing and the other is a professional motor cross racing champion. Most of them are very health-conscious, fun-loving people whose maturity doesn't exactly match their age but that's part of the attraction to them. I've known almost all of them but one for over five years, and all but one are Korean males.
I know a lot of people but I'm rather protective of who it is I call my close friend and more so here in Korea than in Canada actually. I've always tried hard to surround myself with positive people and I'm not talking about those in-your-face, overly-happy people, aka those make-me-want-to-head-kick-them people. There's a big difference between being a happy, positive person and then just being fake. I don't associate with fake people. I associate with people who are able to laugh at life, who know they're responsible for their own happiness and who willingly take the initiative to be the hero in their own life. My top people aren't optimists, they're realistists, and none of them play the victim card, milk any excuse or hold anyone else responsible for their own happiness or life.
I'm ok with people not particularly liking the situation they're in but what I don't like are people complaining about it and not doing anything about it. This is what annoys me to no end. We're not children anymore. You shouldn't need your mother to hold your hand and guide you through life's ups and downs. Learn to roll with the punches people. Only YOU are responsible for YOU so if you're unhappy then you only have you to blame. It's called taking a responsibility for your life. It's called taking this responisibility and doing something. I'm so over people complaining about their life, as if it wasn't them who through a series of choices brought them to where they are in it. It's like a foreigner who complains about living in Korea. YOU decided to come. YOU got on that plane, and you know what, YOU can get back on that plane and leave too. No one has a leash on you and is twisting your arm to stay. You may not like Korea and it's kimchi and sidewalk-driving scooters, but did you ever stop to think that Korea doesn't like you and your close mindedness?! Happiness comes from within and not from outside tangible things or other people, nor is it anyone else's responsibility, or any country's responsibility either for that matter. Get over yourself and take responsibility.
I think people either pull you up or pull you down, feed your energy or eat your energy, and so I am cautious with who I spend my time with. Consequently, if I had to sum up what it is that makes those I've associated myself with and call my closest friends, it'd be the fact that they all are people whom I want to become like. I try to surround myself with others who help to pull me up -- help me to better myself. This is not to assume I'm selfish or am only looking to be with those whom I can benefit from, that's not it at all. What I am saying though is if you are what you surround yourself with then I'm going to surround myself with people I want to be like -- people who foster the very traits I want myself to excel in.
"Better than yesterday", it's our club motto but it's really my life motto too. And part of me trying to be better than yesterday means not surrounding myself with people who are going to drag me down or lean on me to carry their baggage. We all have our issues, fair enough, but not everyone "carries" their issues the same and some people just seem to always have an excess of baggage. I think some people thrive off of drama and I question why they keep on making such issues. The people closest to me are all very hardworking, health-conscious and fitness-minded people who really have their stuff together. They may have their issues but they take responsibility for them, deal with them accordingly, and they too are always trying to better themselves.
Take for example WOW President. He runs two full time companies, one of which is an international imported car dealership and the other being a 24hr restaurant. In addition to managing his businesses, he's a full time husband and full time father to two boys. He had a huge mishap with a very expensive high end car the other month that may have cost him over a hundred grand but no one outside of our business meeting even suspected such a thing. And you know why, because he took responsibility for it, took action and did something. He didn't throw a pity party and invite us all, hell no. He came out to training and left both Snickers and I wondering why the heck he was there instead of chasing the dude that owes him the hundred grand. He wasn't about to let someone or something get to him, change who he is... or even change his daily routine for that matter. And this is why it is so incredibly fitting that his business is called WOW Motors. He fosters such a strong mind, is so incredibly driven and focused, and he is constantly wowing us just how sound of a person he is. I'm convinced there is nothing he can't do and hence why I surround myself with him.
I've got a boxing club full of members that lean on me day in and day out with regards to helping them get healthier and train hard and I love the fact that they've come to me for help. It is after all my job, my passion and the lifestyle I myself try to live. My members train hard and the energy they bring to the club really circulates among us in the club. The same is true with the people you surround yourself with in life. I'm blessed in that I do have a job where I meet people on a daily bases that are trying to better themselves fitness-wise and who are trying to get healthier. It's definitely such a bonus for me to be in such an environment where such values I value are so exaggerated and dominant. Everyone is here to work out and better themselves so I try hard to always bring positive energy to work, into Hulk's. A part of bringing in positive energy means surrounding myself with positive people, people that I admire and strive to be like, outside of the club. My personal life very much influences my business life just as my business life affects my personal life, hence why I've become selective in who I've labelled my closest friends. In having such positive people in my life, both inside and outside of the club, it enables me to then wake up for another 10-12 hour work day, stay that super hyper active coach that cheers on their members, gets that extra rep out or two out of members, and then goes home with energy to spare for loved ones -- husband and friends.
You are what and who you surround yourself with and I sure as hell am not going to let just anyone in my close circle because it ultimately affects all aspects of my life. I've got a business that depends on it. Negative people need not apply to be my friend, thanks. Now sarcastic people who love sports, spinach and coffee... welcome to my life!
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