you are the average of the 5 closest people to you. think about how true this is. what you do, where you go hang out, all is influenced by your friends and their suggestions. hey, i heard about so and so, lets go try it. how many of you guys remember that Friends episode where joey, rachel and lisa were having trouble going out to establishments which were on the pricier side since they didnt make the same amount of money as ross, monica and chandler? the social economic situation almost necessitates that those that are similar will associate together. i get a chance to guest speak at a lot of local collages, my number 1 advice for the college students is to network and be around as much as possible the people they want to be like. they will be the positive influence and its much easier to be like them if you are around them to mimic their actions.
Time to Step It Up
i had lunch this week with an old friend. very successful businessman who is in YPO, young professional organization www.ypo.org. its basically a professional organization that is comprised of young professionals at the executive level of companies that are of at least a certain size. my friend quickly grew his company to over 70+ million dollars and the company became a household name. i admire him so much, more for the type of person he is than his professional successes. he always is giving back to the community and is very down to earth. i was honored that he thought i should join YPO. there are chapters around the world with each chapter being 50-100 members only. each year, only a few spots open up and thus they are naturally very selective in who they invite to fill those vacancies. i am intrigued to join such an elite business fraternity. to be able to tap the fellow members for advice along with all the business opportunities would be phenomenal.
Judge Me Not
personally, not looking forward to being scrutinized professionally and personally. part of what got me to where i am today is not caring what others thought. i just consistently did what i felt was the right to do, totally disregarding the opinions of others. most of these members are huge in the business world. roughly 1/3 of the members are executives hired to manage the companies they represent, 1/3 are inherited family businesses and the final 1/3 are people that are self-made people like myself. it is almost like the nouveau rich trying to fit in with the old guard. i already know i dont live like them. i dont know anyone that likes to be judged. for me, its not the fear of rejection, its the process itself of letting other people dictate my fate. dont want to do a dog and pony show and put in all this work to be accepted. another part i guess is that if i felt more accomplished than i would feel more worthy and ready to associate with these people. and of course, there is a part of me that is intimidated by being in the company of these individuals. i know i would get so much value in being around them, worried that i would be the weak leak in the chapter and not being to give back. doesnt work in life, if you simply take. it needs to be a symbiotic relationship.
Negative Positive Pressure
if i do get it, an issue would be surrounding yourself with all these dynamic ambitious people. one doesnt join such an organization to kick back and coast from here on out in life. for me, it wouldnt be a competitive thing, like i am trying to do better than them, it would simply be a situation of where you would what to do like what those around you are doing. i have been deeply contemplating retiring. i know i have enough funds so i question whether joining an organization like YPO is really committing myself to the continuation of the hectic pace my professional life has been on the last few years. if i dont spent the money i have already, why do i need more.
To Be Determined
can i get into YPO
do i want to keep going and striving for that next level
do i apply now into YPO or wait for later
