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Your life is profoundly influenced by outside sources. The shows you watch, the things you listen to and the people you hang out with have a big impact. The people you associate can either make you or break you in life. You may not believe that it's very important. However, the people that you are around the most are your biggest influence.

Most of us see a great number of people every day. It's well known that in every social situation there are groups. Think about where you work. You tend to hang out with people that have common interests with you. However, it may not be that simple. When you are constantly around the same people, your level of success strongly coincides with their level. This is a phenomenon that is present throughout the world.

Even in the world of sports this happens quite frequently. The term 'playing to the level of the competition' refers to how a team changes their style unconsciously. The better team will often play down to the level of the other team. The worst team will often play above themselves to match the competition. Not only does this happen in sports, but in everyday life.

Study after study has proven this true. Take an underachiever in any field and place him/her with a successful group of people. After a very short period of time that person will also be a success. On the other hand, if you take a successful person and surround him/her with underachievers and he/she will also underachieve. It is an amazing phenomenon but it works nevertheless.

What does this mean for you? Associate with the best people in your field. Quit hanging out with unsuccessful people even if they are your friends. Don't totally disown them by any means'just don't hang out as often. The more you are around successful people, the more successful you will become.