There are all sorts of ideas for ensuring your personal development proceeds unhindered. Some would consider that whilst suggestions about how you do your job are fair comment, starting to dictate who your friends should be may be carrying things a little too far.

However, your friends, colleagues and associates do have a huge influence on your approach to life, as well as on specific thoughts and decisions you may have. Think about it. However well defined your goals and ideas for the future are; talking to cynical, world weary individuals who have a negative outlook on life will reduce your drive and enthusiasm.

Actually choosing your new friends can be helpful. Look for positive people who appear to be the sort of person you would like to be. Learn from them just as you would from a business mentor.

Try and find out if there are support groups of likeminded people. Weight watching groups are taken for granted and their advantages self-evident. Find other people who have similar aims to yourself and network with them regularly.

Take time out and think about your goals and what you are doing to achieve those goals. Don’t just rush around like a headless chicken.