The Internet – Opportunity For Growth Or . . .

. . . A Pseudo Prison Of Limitations?

 

The internet.  A compilation of man’s greatest achievements, aspirations, knowledge, and nut jobs.

It can be debated (and successfully so, I might add) at times if I fall into the latter category mentioned of what can be found on the internet.  I do tend to espouse my views at great length on various social media outlets.  I am relentless in my intent to demonstrate that knowledge can, and will, have an effect on people’s lives.  That learning, expanding our horizons, will set us upon a path to new experiences in life.

I am equally vocal about the potential limitations that can so easily drag us down a continuing path of mediocrity and unfulfilled achievements.  One that is so easily found and substantiated by others on the internet and social media, that it seems to solidify the thoughts and actions we already have.  After all, if you already think you have the answers, and join in with others who agree, it has to be the best way . . . right?

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

jim-rohn-09

Jim Rohn

It’s true!  People associate with like-minded individuals that either reinforce current beliefs or provide what you seek.

Look around at the group(s) you associate with.  Then, determine the five people with whom you tend to listen to the most, and ask yourself the following questions –

  • Are these people advocating the same ideology that you already hold?
  • Do they challenge you to think outside the box of your current actions and thoughts, or simply validate your own agenda?
  • Are they content with their position(s) on current problems/issues, or seeking out new solutions from which you can all grow?
  • Has a significant number of these people already achieved what you seek, thus assisting you to as well?
  • Do you associate with them because they make you feel good today by telling you what you WANT to hear, or that they provide needed insight into what you are doing right . . . and wrong?

Then ask yourself this –

  • Are you seeking friends in your efforts or those who can help you achieve your goals on this journey?
  • If you are seeking friends, congratulations!  Your job here is complete.  If you want the latter, the time to make hard decisions is here.  Are you ready?

Don’t get me wrong.  We all need friends in life.  Those people that will support you when you say . . .

Hey bro, hold my beer, and watch this!

 

No, I didn’t come online to find friends.  Although some associations have developed into long-standing friendships at various levels over the decades.  And for this, I am quite thankful!

[NOTE:  I would like to add that once the laughter subsides, true friends will point out that your recent foray into idiocracy probably accomplished nothing more than a potential emergency room visit, that your beer got warm in the process, and not encourage either in the future! ]

I came to the internet for what it is truly capable of offering – knowledge.

Formal education will make you a living;

self-education will make you a fortune.”

Jim Rohn

Much of what I have learned over the years was a direct result of who I chose to associate with.  People that challenged me to learn new things, open my mind to different and unique ideas, and yes, offered support (and needed criticisms) along the way.  Without this experience, the opportunity to learn from others, I would/could not have advanced beyond where I began.  It opened a multitude of avenues to opportunities I never knew I could achieve.

It was also blatantly obvious that any –value– you may have to help others is perceived by whom YOU associate with as well.

Surround yourself with people that offer substantive value, and you benefit from this association in many ways.  Not only from what you can learn but how the people you need to achieve what you seek will see you in return.  Be it right or wrong, we are all judged at some level by whom we ally ourselves with.

Don’t find yourself trapped in a prison of self-imposed limitations.  One where those you associate with, thus limiting your own knowledge and abilities, holds you where you are today.

Do not ‘guess’ about your future.  Find the means to define it!

 

Find out if the direction you are now traveling is beneficial to where you need to go.  Determine if how you have placed yourself on this path allows for overall growth, or limits your abilities, and evaluate future actions from that knowledge.

As has been mentioned many times, we determine our own future, good or bad.  Start on your path by finding the people that help provide the resources to make the journey as painless as possible.  Most times this means leaving our comfort zone, moving away from the refuge offered by the past, and willingly engaging new experiences.

You can NOT do this if you retreat into the solstice of yesterday by continuing to surround yourself with those that only offer what makes you feel good, and foregoing those that offer what you NEED to advance.  No one ever said it would be easy (and if they did, they lied, and should make the short list of those you leave behind).

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way.

If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”

Jim Rohn

The time for excuses is over!  Today is the day you unlock the prison doors, seek out knowledge, and find YOUR path to opportunity.

.

With Sincere Thanks

Richard Taylor

“The only limits we have are those you impose upon yourself. Remove the limits!”

4 thoughts to “The Internet – Opportunity For Growth Or . . .”

  1. I found your post to be very relevant. I would agree with your points, as I have always been a firm believer in personal development and ongoing education in the form of media, books, seminars, etc. The challenge I find, is finding people who are on a similar quest and also devoted to completing their goals. I have a lot of amazing friend who I love dearly, however, they don’t share my desire for business success and growth. I go to seminars and love the atmosphere, so creative and positive and have made some great connections and friends, but how to find these kinds of people nearby me so I can spend more time with them. Its a challenge I continue to work on each and every day.

    1. Carla, you did it again!

      Now I have an entire blog post to write. “How to find those that can help” (or something like that)

      I cherish my friends. Life without them would be lacking so much. However, only a select few (about two, actually) I would turn to for business advice. Keep business/personal separate, for the most part.

      Like you, I have met many great people, with much to offer, at seminars over the years. That part is easy! What I find difficult is transferring a great discussion from a dinner at the event into a meaningful dialogue in the future.

      There are, however, MANY opportunities to align ourselves with those that can help – should we just ‘listen’ to what goes on around us.

      Let’s open these comments up to -ideas- about how we can reach out. What have others done to ‘find their five’ to listen to, and work with perhaps?

      Good stuff Carla! Thanks!

  2. I think this is a good article. I think that we know when we are going in the wrong direction. It’s so easy to do; and for that matter we can go on for years, without partnerships, without REAL contacts and without really making much money at all. Sometimes it can be the teamwork of a good partner whom you understand and who understands you. There are so many of us who still cannot understand that this business is ALL ABOUT relationships. People who trust you and whom YOU can trust. Nice post Richard.

    1. Thanks Paul!

      I would agree that most people do know, at least subconsciously, when they are doing something wrong. Identifying what that is? Well, that can be where the hard part lies!

      ALL businesses are about relationships. Some more direct than others, but all rely on the same basic premise.

      I have had the distinct fortune to have had several good business partners in my various ventures over the years. Each brought new insight into the endeavor and offered valuable advice and assistance. Well that, and the (needed) occasional knock-down-drag-out discussions at times! Had we agreed on everything, held the same viewpoints and vision, the business would probably have never been as successful. Differing aspects offered a wider scope to draw from for answers.

      Once we divest ourselves from the past (what hasn’t worked) and focus on the future (what may work), we begin to ‘see’ where we can go.

      Always a challenge, always fun!

      Good points Paul!

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