“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with” – Jim Rohn
Am I happy with my life at work? Am I really making a difference? What is my purpose? These are all questions that I was asking myself about two years ago before making a career change. I was working a job I hated, had hardly any time for family, was missing Sunday church services, and I had this notion for a long time that I couldn’t leave. I felt stuck, and this is sadly the reality for many Americans today. According to Forbes.com, about 53% of Americans are not happy with their current role at work. If this is you, I urge you to look at Ken Coleman’s book The Proximity Principle. Ken’s book outlines a path to put you in the role that God put you on this earth to do. This involves using the idea of getting close to those who have succeeded in your desired field in order to get you connected to the right people to put you on the path to success.
The proximity principle is simple: we become more like the people that we spend our time with. If you want to be a Godly person, spend time with people who have devoted their life to God. If you want to become a successful piano player, spend a few hours a week with a lifelong piano player. Want to live a healthier lifestyle? Join your local health club and make some friends that keep you accountable. Want to become a Bible scholar? Join a Sherwood Oaks Bible study group (wink wink)! We must get into proximity with those who have already had success in the field that we want to pursue. Life is too short to not enjoy your work.
“So I saw that there is nothing better than that a man should rejoice in his work, for that is his lot.” -Ecclesiastes 3:22 (ESV).