Take a solid look at your friends and family, and focus your thoughts on the messages they convey to you. When you look at each person individually, do they build you up and motivate you or do they tear you down and spread a “can’t do” message to you? Each of these people are important to your life and are loved by you, and yet some people are simply negative forces in your life. If you want to be successful and happy in life, you need to build a network of positive energy by focusing on those individuals that provide you with positive motivation.

Obviously you cannot stop interacting with those people in your life who don’t offer positive motivation, but you can limit your interactions with them. You should also take steps to avoid internalizing their messages if you know they will bring you down. Don’t ask them for advice or talk to them about problems more than necessary, but instead do these things with the positive forces in your life. You can absolutely still socialize with those you love who are less than positive, but you need to be aware of how their words and actions can affect yours so you can take steps to head that off before it starts.

For a truly more productive and successful life, you should try to spend more time on those people in  your life who do offer positive motivation. Internalize their messages to you. Develop more friendships and relationships with people are are positive, and really build up a strong network of positive energy. It is truly amazing how being around negative people can bring you down, too, and likewise how being around positive people can be uplifting. Surround yourself with positive energy, and you will find that you lead a happier and more successful life.