The company we keep can significantly shape who we are and who we become.
As Jim Rohn famously said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
This speaks volumes about the impact of our social circle on our personal growth and success.
If you’re looking to expand your horizons and grow as a person, it’s crucial to be mindful of the types of people you surround yourself with.
Certain traits can stifle your growth, while others can propel it.
Here are eight types of people you might consider avoiding if you’re serious about your personal development.
1) Energy vampires
Personal growth is a journey that requires positive energy and motivation.
There are certain individuals, often referred to as energy vampires, who have a knack for sucking the joy and vitality right out of you.
You might notice that after spending time with them, you feel drained, negative, or even depressed.
That’s your sign that this person is hindering your growth.
I don’t mean to say that they’re inherently bad people.
It’s more about the fact that their energy simply doesn’t align with yours.
If you’re serious about your personal growth, it might be time to create some distance from these energy vampires.
It’s not an easy decision to make, but it’s often a necessary one for your well-being.
2) The constant naysayers
You know who I’m talking about. Those people who always seem to be on a mission to rain on your parade.
When I started my journey towards personal growth, I remember sharing my plans with a close friend.
Instead of the support and encouragement I expected, I was met with constant doubt and skepticism.
“You can’t do that.” “That’s too risky.” “Who do you think you are?” Every new idea or plan was met with negativity and dismissal.
Sure, it’s essential to have people who can give you grounded advice and prevent you from making reckless decisions, but there’s a difference between constructive criticism and outright negativity.
The constant naysayers can make your dreams feel insignificant and your efforts futile, which is something you don’t need when you’re trying to grow as a person.
If you’ve got a constant naysayer in your life, it might be time to reconsider their place in your journey.
3) The chronic complainers
Let me be clear, everyone needs to vent sometimes.
But when someone’s default mode is to complain, that negativity can start to weigh you down.
Instead of focusing on solutions or learning from their mistakes, chronic complainers tend to wallow in their problems and spread their negative energy to those around them.
Even worse, you could slowly become a chronic complainer yourself!
Embracing positivity and focusing on solutions is a key part of personal growth.
As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”
Surround yourself with great minds, so you become great-minded yourself.
4) The perpetual victims
Following on from that, constant complaining can also eventually lead to a victim mentality.
Perpetual victims are those who, intentionally or not, always see themselves as the target of misfortune.
They have a tendency to blame others for their problems rather than taking responsibility for their own actions and decisions.
Psychologists describe them as having lower self-esteem and more likely to experience feelings of helplessness and depression.
While it’s true that everyone can fall on hard times, constantly portraying oneself as a victim can create a self-fulfilling prophecy.
When you’re trying to grow, it’s crucial to surround yourself with people who take responsibility for their actions and learn from their mistakes.
If you’re frequently in the company of a perpetual victim, their mindset — and negative energy — could affect your personal growth.
5) The manipulators
Manipulators are experts at playing mind games.
They know how to twist situations, make you question your reality, and often make you feel guilty for things that aren’t your fault.
Their actions often lead to stress, confusion, and self-doubt, which are all barriers to personal growth.
I once had a partner who was exactly like this. He would always twist my words and actions to fit their narrative.
It was exhausting and left me doubting my own perceptions. And it really held me back for a while.
You see, personal growth requires clarity and self-confidence.
It requires surrounding yourself with people who respect you, who are honest, and who communicate openly.
Anything that threatens your mental and emotional safety…best to stay away from that.
6) The incessant gossipers
Gossip may seem like harmless chitchat, but it can have a real impact on your personal growth journey.
Incessant gossipers tend to focus on the lives and shortcomings of others rather than focusing on their own growth and self-improvement.
When you’re immersed in a culture of gossip, it can be easy to get swept up in the drama and negativity, which can distract you from your own goals and progress.
Personal growth thrives in an environment of positivity, mutual respect, and self-reflection.
You won’t get far in life if you keep getting sucked into drama, so opt out of the next gossip session.
7) The non-stop competitors
We all know them, those who are always trying to one-up you.
These non-stop competitors can turn even the simplest of conversations into a competition.
They’re quick to compare and quicker to boast, often leaving you feeling inadequate or less accomplished.
Personal growth isn’t a race or a competition; it’s a personal journey that’s unique to each individual.
It thrives on self-acceptance, self-improvement and celebrating small victories.
Your journey is about you and no one else.
Don’t lose sight of that by engaging with overly competitive people.
8) The unsupportive ones
Last but certainly not least, steer clear of the unsupportive ones.
These are the people who, for whatever reason, don’t support your journey of personal growth.
They may dismiss your goals, ridicule your efforts, or simply show indifference towards your aspirations.
I’ve had people in my life who couldn’t understand why I was striving for self-improvement.
Their lack of support was disheartening and at times made me question my own journey.
But personal growth is a deeply personal journey, one that requires commitment, dedication and yes, support.
Surrounding yourself with supportive individuals can make all the difference in your journey.
If someone isn’t able to offer you the support you need, it might be time to reconsider their role in your life.
Final thoughts
Your path to growth deserves to be nurtured and encouraged. It’s about protecting your mental and emotional well-being and creating an environment conducive to growth.
So take the time to reflect on the people in your life. Do they uplift you, or do they drain you? Do they encourage your growth, or do they hinder it?
Making these distinctions isn’t easy, but it’s an essential step towards becoming the best version of yourself. Don’t be afraid to take control and make the choices that are best for you — you’re absolutely worth it.