Let’s cut through the noise: Your network isn’t just collecting dust in your LinkedIn contacts – it’s either rocket fuel for your success or the anchor dragging you down to mediocrity. And if you’re reading this while mentally cataloging people who make your stomach clench when their name pops up on your phone, we need to talk.
As we’ve all probably heard by now, you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. But here’s the plot twist – you get to choose those five people. Yet somehow, we’ve normalised keeping energy vampires on speed dial while our dreams collect cobwebs in the corner.
Think of your network as your personal board of directors. Would you let someone who consistently shows up late, unprepared, and radiating negativity sit on the board of a Fortune 500 company? Of course not. So why are you giving them a premium seat at the table of your life?
The Dirty Dozen: Your Network’s Most Wanted
- The Saboteur: Masquerades as your biggest fan while secretly working behind your back. Classic move: “I’m just being realistic” is their favourite phrase before torpedoing your dreams.
- The Backstabber: Olympic-level mental gymnast who can flip from praise to poison faster than you can say “professional boundaries.”
- The Dream Stealer: Plants doubt like it’s their full-time job, disguising fear-mongering as “looking out for you.”
- The Energy Vampire: One coffee meeting with them requires a week’s recovery and three espresso shots.
- The Skeptic: Has a PhD in playing devil’s advocate but mysteriously loses their voice when it’s solution time
- The Narcissist: Thinks your success story is actually their autobiography with you as a supporting character.
- The Liar: The human equivalent of a Nigerian prince email – all promises, zero delivery.
- The Critic: Confuses criticism with feedback, leaving your confidence looking like it went through a paper shredder.
- The Labeler: Still trying to fit you into the box you outgrew five years ago.
- The Bully: Uses intimidation as their love language.
- The Gossip: Treats other people’s lives like their personal Netflix series.
- The Coaster: As exciting as watching paint dry, but takes up twice as much space.
Removing these people from your network isn’t about being mean – it’s about being intentional. It’s about protecting your energy with the same ferocity you protect your morning coffee routine.
You’re not being harsh; you’re being strategic. In a world where your network is your net worth, you can’t afford to keep discount-store connections in a Gucci-level game.
The Bottom Line: Your success isn’t just about what you do – it’s about who you allow to be part of your story. It’s time to be the editor-in-chief of your life and start making some serious cuts to your character list.
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Resource mentioned: Davidji Deep Healing Meditation
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