I had a really interesting conversation with someone I respect very much earlier this week. He's a much more experienced father than I, and we were talking about raising kids. He told me that'd he'd recently read that as much as we try and teach our kids right and wrong and help them make good decisions we don't necessarily have as much of an impact as we would hope. In fact, the single thing that has the biggest impact on kids as they grow up is their peer group.

Talk about an 'aha' moment. This is not just true when we're kids, but throughout our lives. I thought back through my own history and upbringing, and know this has been absolutely consistent throughout my life. In the periods of my life where I made poor decisions and did rather stupid things I was ALWAYS with other kids who regularly acted this way. At the times that I was at my best I was closest to others who were at the top of their game as well.

The more I think about it the more I realize how much of an impact this has at any stage of our lives. No wonder the stereotype of folks in nursing homes is that of bitter, cranky old people. That's what they're around.

I'm sure I've read it several times before, I just can't recall where, that we will become just like the people we're closest to. If we're aware of how significant of an impact our peer group has on us we can make this concept of proximity work in our favor.

Your networking efforts will give you a chance to meet some very successful people, and probably a lot of not so successful people. Surround yourself with those who are successful. If you're new to business and/or networking don't surround yourself with people who are down on themselves, their abilities, and their prospects. Otherwise you will become them. Surround yourself with success and you will become successful.

Over the last few months I've made a very conscious effort to surround myself with doers. People who don't stand around talking about what should be done. Rather, people who go out and get things done. These are the networkers who do what they say they're going to do, are where they say they're going to be, and are always committed for the long haul.

Think about your current peer group. Who are the 6 or 8 people that you spend the most time with. If you were like them would that be ok? If so, congratulations! You're primed for success. If not it might be time to re-evaluate who you are letting influence you whether your conscious of it or not.

Happy networking!

Scott Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com