Who Influenced and Influences You?

We all have had someone influence our lives. Most people can point to one or two people they would say had the largest influence on their lives. But the truth is, many people have influenced our lives over the many years. "We are born free, from the restraints of this society. Helpless to what is instilled. To all those who raise us, mold us and shape us, there is a time to separate from this." - Killswitch Engage. Our parents and family generally are the largest influencers in our lives, but clearly not the only. Along the 56 years I have roamed around this water and granite marble, I have met many, many people. Some I can't even remember, or even want to remember. One thing I have learned for certain, every person who comes into your life is there to teach you something. Whether it is exactly how you never want to be, or someone who provides an example of what you may want to live up to. Either way, this person has influenced your life and possibly your beliefs. No, I'm not talking about the "Influencers" you can find on social media. Give it some thought, there are people, likely many, who have directly and indirectly influenced or changed your life. These people who have indirectly influenced your life may be the most important, yet you likely never realized the change, simply because you never wanted to be like that person.

Can you name three positive people who had a positive impact on the direction of your life? Can you name three negative people who had a positive impact on the direction of your life? Can you point to the people who are currently in your life with either a positive or negative impact? Have any of these people actually changed your personal beliefs? Have they had an impact on your career? We tend to believe that co-workers and work mentors have the biggest influence only over our career path, but do they? I have a simple belief about making friends at work. Making friends is not my primary purpose for work. Earning a living and better wages to support my family is my motivation for work, making friends along the way is a bonus. Is that belief a bit harsh? Maybe. Yes, I have made many friends along the way.

The person who holds the largest influence over your life, is yourself. If you choose to let people force their beliefs upon you, then you have given away some of your own influence over your life. The continual talk which goes on in all of our heads has the greatest influence on our lives. If the talk in your brain is only negative, then positive influences are mostly useless. The negative thoughts in your mind can run rampant if not checked. Trust me on this. Do you pay attention to these thoughts? Should you? YES! The mind can easily cast doubt on anything you may have planned. The proverbial Devil on one shoulder and the Angel on the other can easily positively or negatively influence your thoughts. Which will you choose? This is a question which must be answered continually throughout each and every day.

The multiple people you can readily name, the people you cannot readily name, family, friends, positive, negative and the eternal (sometimes infernal) voice in our head, and co-workers can all have influence over our lives and beliefs. Are you paying attention to the changes and influence? Do you realize when a negative person influences you? In my years of experience, after reflecting upon the many people who have come and gone, I have learned the people I least want to be like may have the biggest influence upon my life. Do you accept when a positive person influences your life? Are all these mentioned changes so subtle that you don't realize or recognize them?

Remember that you are in control of your own thoughts and how you may or may not let others influence your life and beliefs. A great deal of freedom is found when you are the person in charge.

The opinions expressed in this article are mine alone and do not represent Quanta Services or any known affiliates.