Do as Jim Rohn says “If you can’t change your Friends, change your Friends”
Jim Rohn, one of my favorite mentors of ALL time once said, “If you can’t change your friends, change your friends.”
Over the weekend I watched Despicable Me…again. It was probably my 7th time watching it since it came out almost a year ago. (One of my favorite things to do is watch movies that make me cry or have happy endings.)
In the movie, the criminal mastermind, Gru (voice of Steve Carell) had this plan since his childhood days to steal the moon. His mother (voice of Julie Andrews) continually discourages him since the day he shared the idea with her. Watch these 3 short clips before reading the rest of this post and watch what I’m talking about.
This first clip is the first time Gru shared the idea with his mom about stealing the moon. (18 seconds)
These are all the times he shared his dream with his mom. (24 seconds)
And this is when he is on the verge of creating that dream into reality. Notice how his mom was “congratulating” him for stealing the pyramid. She was actually being sarcastic because she just learned that Vector (Gru’s opponent/rival) accomplished a successful goal – stealing the pyramid from Egypt. (34 seconds)
How sad was that!!
If you have people in your life (I’ll call them ‘friends’) that tell you “ehh”, “you can’t do it”, “it’s just not possible”, or “if it really works then why isn’t everyone rich or doing it?” I’ve got a news flash for you: There will always be people that want to bring you down, keep you down, blow you down, whatever you wanna call it, but it’s up to you to WANT it more than the average mindset.
“Friends” are more comfortable with staying where they are at. So, instead of rising above and beyond and getting uncomfortable going after their true goals it’s simpler for them say “give up and quit” or “it can’t be done” to your face. And instead of encouraging and inspiring you to aim for the target they ultimately break you down. 
When you end up becoming big in life, it never fails in that the “friend” that couldn’t do it tries to drag you down with them. The reason they unplug on your dreams and hopes is because they know the day you make it to the top is the day you figure out that they are the loser, and you are (and have always been) the warrior and winner.
Those kind of friends don’t do well with change. I know people whose dreams have been ripped apart because a “friend” believed they couldn’t make it.
Because you are reading this post right now I KNOW what type of person you are. You don’t settle for less. You don’t want the status quo. You want the greater things in life. You are going somewhere, you are making things happen, and you’re going to get there – where ever that place is for you.
Jim Rohn set it best and I”ll say it again: “If you can’t change your friends, change your friends.” That quote right there says it all! (Read that again.)
Settling for less is not the answer. Going for what you’re after is. In the end, it will be you with a ton of friends that want to see success be a part of your life.
If you let the opinion of those “friends” determine or influence your decisions, I promise you will go nowhere real fast. If they don’t have what you want, why would you care what they say or think? The solution for this problem is to associate yourself with like-minded people. People with the same goals, hopes, and lifestyle that YOU are after.
If you have a hunger for a life that is filled with living your passion and has lots of room for freedom, there is a requirement: Action. Action to…
- Change your friends (who you closely associate yourself with)
- Change your lifestyle (the way you live in your abilities, values, and standards)
- Change the way you think (mindset/perspective/attitude)
- Change your daily routines (add and remove the good and the ugly parts – eat healthier, move your body more, etc,…)
Allowing other people (yes, that includes your mom and family and friends) to discourage you and shoot down your idea of living a life filled with choices means you are settling for less than you deserve. Instead of lowering your standards, my suggestion is to learn how to make the change that will drive you closer to your goal and then demand yourself to take action on accomplishing it.
It’s simpler than you think. Here’s something I want you to think about and then go and make your change. “If you’re not at the level you want to be at, it’s wrong. If you’re not at the level you’re proud of, it’s wrong. Because you deserve to have it right, to be at the level you deserve. Living on the edge of what is possible. Living life at that level of fulfillment.” -Tony Robbins
This only happens when you start the change you want to live in. Whether that means you will need to change your friends is your call, your story.
I know this post will help many people out there with their dreams dying. Please help them by sending them the link to this post or sharing this post on Facebook or Twitter. And I ALWAYS love hearing from you so please leave me your comments below and I’ll see you again real soon!
Here’s to your Unlimited Success,
19 comments to “Do as Jim Rohn says “If you can’t change your Friends, change your Friends””
October 11th, 2011 at 9:42 PM
Jaclyn, what a wonderful way to illustrate your message! Sometimes friends and family have “vibes” which bring you down also. It’s not just what they say, it’s what they “don’t say” also.
I remember my Mum always encouraging me as a teenager, to be a doctor or a lawyer. However, “being an entrepreneur” was not treated in the same way.
Thanks for a very meaningful post Jaclyn, I’d be glad to have you as a friend to hang round with! Regards from Julieanne
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October 12th, 2011 at 5:39 AM
Hi jaclyn
Wow What a great post.
I can just agree with you ans I see that in my own life.
so many people love to pull you down on your way up. they feel
that if they cant be were you are going they will kepp you with them.
People need to read your post.
Regards
Theuns
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October 12th, 2011 at 7:06 AM
Great article and tips. I’ve had to unfriend more than a few people over the years – it’s always a little sad, but it’s necessary if you’re continually growing. For better or worse, we’re stuck with family so as you illustrated when they are the one’s putting down your dreams, it’s much tougher. It’s vital to find the strength, because no one can achieve true happiness living someone else’s life. Thanks for the inspiration!
marquita herald recently posted..Achieve More by Rewarding Yourself for Small Successes
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October 12th, 2011 at 2:00 PM
I have never seen this movie before…now I see why it’s called Despicable Me!
Awesome way to communicate a powerful message…we definitely need to choose our inner circle wisely.
This post will inspire many! Thanks for sharing
-Ro
Roshanda Gilmore recently posted..Burning Desire – Is It Really Necessary To Reach Long Lasting Success?
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October 13th, 2011 at 4:03 AM
Hello Jaclyn
Everyone has a special purpose in life and should follow their heart and experience that purpose. As you demonstrate in this excellent post it is easy to allow others to keep us from realizing our purpose. Like your graphic says “Changes at the next exit” is the key. We must not only change friends but also change thought in our hearts.
Thanks
Perry A Davis Jr
Music City
Perry A Davis Jr recently posted..5 thoughts as to why not call your friends, family and people you know as – your “Warm Market.
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October 13th, 2011 at 12:04 PM
That was great Jaclyn. How you used those video clips to make your point was awesome. I will be looking forward to your next post…
Virgil Cook
Virgil Cook recently posted..Do Baby Boomers Use Social Networking
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Jaclyn Castro Reply:
October 14th, 2011 at 2:11 PM
Thanks for stopping by Virgil. Look forward to your next visit!
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October 13th, 2011 at 9:52 PM
Hi Jaclyn,
I’ve never seen that movie, but it really does illustrate your point! Yes, other people can bring us down if we let them. But if we change ourselves, as in your call to action, we won’t have to worry about what others say. Easier said then done, huh!
Pastor Sherry recently posted..The Role of Truth (Part 7)
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October 13th, 2011 at 10:19 PM
Jaclyn,
Thoughtful post. I’ve not seen that movie before but the point is well made. And, so you know, it works. My wife and I have begun to change our friends because they were either unwilling or unable to make a shift with us. We’ve moved on and when you do that some things (people, places, too) must be left behind. A bit disconcerting, but essential for growth.
Thanks for your thoughts.
RICK
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October 14th, 2011 at 3:10 AM
If there is one thing that I am very weak at? Its probably in the ‘change’ department. I have a list of things that I need to change. I want to change and I know that it is the right thing to do. Yes, I dont just settle for things that I dont deserve. That is the main reason why I always seek change. But I think I am not strong enough to take an action. I always have this idea, great idea but it will always be nothing if I wont work on it. This article inspires me to embrace change in its truest meaning. the change thats not only exist in my mind but something real and something that has happened.
Crescele recently posted..Cheating – When The Punishment Fits The Crime
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Jaclyn Castro Reply:
October 14th, 2011 at 2:31 PM
Hey Steve,
Great to see you again. If I may say that if you continuously repeat to yourself over and over again “I am weak in the ‘change’ department”, “I think I am not strong enough to take an action”, and that type of thinking you will surely stay stuck in that place. Choose to train your brain to thinking you are a leader, you are the best, and that you will get great results…but more importantly is that you gotta believe in it. Otherwise it’s just a false belief, which doesn’t work.
I’m super glad I made you feel inspired to take action and make the change. Be sure to stop by and let me know how you’re doing okay?
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October 14th, 2011 at 1:16 PM
Jaclyn,
I just enjoyed reading this post, knowing that people will gain a different mindset once they read it. We all have to make changes in our lives otherwise we get suck. When you said change friends and lifestyle that is the great beginning! Thanks again for these wise words,
Blessings,
Donna
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Jaclyn Castro Reply:
October 14th, 2011 at 2:26 PM
Hi Donna,
. Appreciate you for stopping by!
I’m really happy that you enjoyed reading this and I expect that many others coming across this post will learn to shift their mindset after reading this
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October 16th, 2011 at 7:39 AM
I am a true believer in that your interactions will affect your life greatly. The people you know and how you choose to interact with them. So the better choice of people you hang around the better their personalities will have on you. My mam would always say “If you lay down with dogs, you will end up having fleas.” I tell others, hang around people you want to be like, and get away from those you do not what to be like. Either way they will rub off on you. With that way of thinking you also have to assume that others are doing the same. So the more people that are drawn to you should tell you something. Just like if you notice that more people are trying not to socialize with you. A real fun post to read, thanks – TTYL
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October 17th, 2011 at 9:19 PM
Hi Jaclyn:
This is a great post. Thanks for sharing the movie I did not know about it and now I will go looking for it. I loved Jim Rohn and still do. He left us with pearls Of Wisdom. I agree with you you should not care about what people say about you especially if they do not really matter in your life.
We get so caught up worrying about what someone else will think or say that we get paralyzed from taking an action that needed to be taken. You become like the people you hang around and if you do not like your friends, and cannot change them, then like Jim Rohn said, CHANGE them! Great post Jaclyn.
Liz K : Success From Home Trainining recently posted..Taking Your Direct Sales Marketing Business Online
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October 18th, 2011 at 2:27 PM
Hi Jaclyn,
It always amazes and inspires me to see how network marketing leaders go the extra miles in their personal development to eliminate the negative influences in their lives. I love that quote from Jim Rohn, and here is another, “You can only be as successful as the five people whom you hang out with the most.” Choose your friends and mentors carefully, because that influence will impact your success, in a very big way.
Peace,
David H. Paul
the Follow Your Bliss Guy
from NeoTrainigNetwork.com
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October 18th, 2011 at 5:43 PM
jaclyn,
Love this post. Never seen despicable me, but now, at least, I feel I have a sense of it. Maybe I’ll watch it now, knowing you have watched it so many times! Must be a good movie, huh? If you watch crabs in boiling water and one of the crabs starts to climb out, the other crabs pull him back into the boiling water! DUH! Sounds like some of the “friends” you are talking about. They need to be cut out of your life with a BLOWTORCH! Not so easy to “cut out” family, so that’s a situation where God and the Universe want you to learn something about dealing with people who drag you down, but you just can’t avoid altogether!
So in the end, you’ll be stronger and better equipped for the success that God and the Universe and Life has in store for you!
Great Post and Videos!
Thanks!
Jupiter Jim
Jupiter Jim recently posted..WordPress Tutorial: Add the Latest Version of Google Analytics to your WordPress Blog
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October 20th, 2011 at 2:48 AM
Grat post. I never saw the movie but now I will search it out. Over the years I have has to change friends many times. Don’t tell me not to do something anymore. I try to surround myself with like minded people and leave the doubters behind.
Joyce Edwards recently posted..Get a Second Opinion
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October 20th, 2011 at 11:31 PM
I enjoyed the post, though I haven’t seen this movie. But it made me think about all friends I lost just because I am too busy or so..I will try track them down.
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