Thursday Thoughts... The People You Surround Yourself With

Last Saturday, my wife hosted cookbook club. Now, if you're like me the first time I heard about it, you might be wondering, What exactly is cookbook club?

Here’s how it works: A group of people (ladies in this case) choose a cookbook of the month, and each person gets a copy, often through the library. (Side note: If you live in a small town like I do, your library may not have a dozen copies, but they can use the inter-library loan system to get them.)?Then, they each pick a recipe, make it, and bring it to share. The result? A table full of incredible dishes, all from the same cookbook, giving everyone a chance to try a variety of flavors.

This month's book was The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook by Monique Volz . Michelle loved it so much that partway through the month, she returned her borrowed copy and bought the book.?After tasting the spread that night, I’d say it was a great decision—you might want to check it out too!

The ladies enjoyed the food, sipped some wine (thank you, Jason Smith at Smith Family Farm & Vineyards, for your delicious contribution!), and—most importantly—enjoyed each other’s company. I know this because of the volume levels coming from the table, which ranged from casual conversation to roaring laughter.

It was that evening that inspired this week's thoughts.

Who You Surround Yourself With Matters

Some of the husbands tag along for cookbook club, but we usually retreat to our hangout space for some good bourbon and even better conversation. I look forward to these gatherings. The guys in the group are smart, driven, and dedicated to their families. They work in different industries, so the discussions are always interesting and insightful.

As we were talking, one of the guys I really respect made an observation about the secondhand benefits of cookbook club. When you surround yourself with good people—people who are motivated, curious, and eager to try new things and include others—you naturally get pulled along for the ride.

And let’s be honest—one of the biggest perks? We get to eat the amazing spread, too. The ladies may be the ones officially in the club, but we reap the benefits by getting to taste all the incredible food they bring. Not a bad deal.

You’ve probably heard the old sayings:

·???????? You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

·???????? It’s hard to soar with eagles when you’re hanging out with turkeys.

Both are true. The people we choose to spend our time with influence us more than we realize.

And that doesn’t just apply to friends—it applies to work, leadership, and family. Surround yourself with innovators and doers, and you’ll become more innovative. Spend time with people who challenge you, and you’ll grow. Choose to be around complainers and excuse-makers, and it won’t take long before you start adopting their mindset too.

Participation Is Required

Of course, just being around great people isn’t enough. You can’t just sit in the passenger seat and expect everything to magically improve… you have to participate.

For example, after cookbook club, I got up early the next morning and did all the dishes before Michelle woke up. Not because I had to, (we’re a team and split all the chores in our house) but because I appreciate what she does and wanted to show it.

It’s the same in friendships, work, and life. Great relationships aren’t just about showing up—they’re about contributing.

Want better friends? Be a better friend. Want a stronger team? Be someone your teammates can count on. Want to be part of a winning culture? Invest in it, don’t just consume it.

That Leads Me to This Week’s Challenge…

Take a look at who you surround yourself with. Are they people who lift you up, challenge you, and inspire you to be better? Or are they people who drain your energy, limit your thinking, or pull you into negativity?

And just as importantly, what kind of person are you to those around you?

Make it a point this week to invest in good relationships—in your family, in your friendships, and in your work. Show appreciation. Step up when needed. Be someone who adds value to the people in your circle.

I’m thankful you took the time to read this, for choosing to work, and for being part of what makes this world amazing.

If this Thursday Thoughts struck a chord with you, I’d love to hear your take. What’s one insight or takeaway that stood out to you?

Drop a comment, share your perspective, or tag someone who needs to hear this today. And if you haven’t already, hit follow to stay connected for more Thursday Thoughts every week.