The Five People: 2024 Edition

You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with — but are you?

Midjourney image created by the author.

Have you ever stopped to consider how the people in your life shape who you are — beyond just your five trusted friends?

In 2022, I wrote an article based on Jim Rohn’s famous quote, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.“

Beyond the Five

At that time, I focused on the traits and values, not the people themselves.

While it is true that the people around you influence your decisions and behaviors, it’s a misconception that you are the average of these people.

You might think that you’re just like the average of your five closest friends, but that’s not true. What it doesn’t factor in is your own experiences.

It’s not just best friends or favorite family members who shape you. You are also influenced by people in your social communities, business masterminds, thought leaders in your industry, and others.

This means that who you are is made up of many different influences, not just the people you’re closest to.

So, while the values are the same, the people influencing my path forward are as diverse as ever.