More Is Caught Than Taught

Last week, I left you with three questions:

Who brings out the best in me?

Who am I becoming around the people I spend the most time with?

And who do other people become around me?

I've been reflecting on those questions myself as I am 2027 goal setting wondering how in the HE*L am I going to accomplish these, and it brought me back to something I've believed for years:

More is caught than taught.

Think about that for a minute.

We can read all the books, attend all the trainings, listen to all the podcasts, and know exactly what we should be doing.

But what we surround ourselves with every day has an incredible influence on what we actually do.

Looking back at my own life, I can see this so clearly.

As I have shared before, for about eight years, I was headed down a path that repeatedly landed me in trouble and in and out of jail. I was surrounded by unhealthy habits, unhealthy choices, and people making many of the same decisions I was making. My parents drank their fair share during those years, too.

And while I'm responsible for every choice I made, I also recognize how much of what I considered normal was simply what I was surrounded by.

Because we tend to do what we see.

It wasn't until I changed my environment, started surrounding myself with different people, and became intentional about growing that my life began to change.

And I've watched that same principle play out in so many other areas of my life and other’s lives.

When I decided to train for a marathon, I joined running groups, followed runners on social media, and spent time with people who were training, too.

Suddenly, running long distances didn't seem so crazy. It was just what people around me did.

In real estate, I've seen the same thing.

When I was surrounded by agents who consistently made their calls and generated business, it was easier for me to do the same.

When I started building a team, I intentionally put myself in rooms with other agents who were already building successful teams. I learned just as much from watching what they did as I did from anything they taught me.

And when no one around you is doing those things? It's amazing how quickly NOT doing them can start to feel normal.

Your environment has a way of setting your standards without you even realizing it.

The habits. The conversations. The perspectives. What people prioritize. What they believe is possible.

It all rubs off on us. More is caught than taught.

So here's something to think about this week.

Whatever you're working toward, better health, a stronger marriage, financial freedom, building a business, becoming a better leader -------a big part of your success will depend on this:

Are you surrounding yourself with people who are consistently doing the things it takes to get there?

Because sometimes the fastest way to change a habit isn't another book, another course, or another goal.

It's putting yourself in an environment where the behavior you're trying to build is already normal.

So think about who you're becoming and what you're working toward.

Where could you put yourself that would make becoming that person a little easier?

Join the group. Find the workout partner. Attend the training. Have coffee with someone you admire. Spend more time in environments that support who you're becoming.

You don't have to change your entire circle. Just be intentional about adding more of the environments that bring out your best.

If you want different results, pay attention to what's normal in the rooms you're spending your time in.

To your best life,

Tara

From the Vault: If this hit home, you'll love Do You Like Who You Are Around Them?.