The people around you expand or shrink what you believe is possible, at work and at home, so choose them on purpose and keep a small growth circle close.
The idea
We tend to value a network for referrals, jobs and investors. The people around you also set the edges of what you think is possible: they challenge your assumptions and pull you out of your own "mental mud." That reaches well past work, into parenting, friendships and the morning routine you've struggled with for years. "You're the product of the conversations, ideas, and energy you're exposed to."
How to do it
Look at last month's meetings. Notice who left you buzzing and who left you drained, and shift the ratio.
Pick your growth circle: 3-5 people who consistently inspire you, in any area of life. Keep a regular check-in going with each, even if it's a voice note or a meme exchange.
Make room for serendipity (a dinner, a mastermind), and when you hit a wall at work or at home, reach out to your network.
Example
A Zoom mastermind I almost skipped left me feeling like I could bend steel. Years earlier, when my wife and I were expecting our first child, most of our best parenting moves came from our network: a founder friend, a mentor and a vendor-turned-confidant.
The Kitchen Cabinet: Beyond business-relevant contacts, make sure your network includes a professional contrarian, an industry oracle and a universal connector.
The Energy Audit: Scroll last year's calendar, notice your gut reaction to each name, and sort people into energy givers, drainers and forgettables.
The Recurring Calendar Invite: After a good conversation, make it a repeating calendar event, with a mutual, guilt-free permission to cancel any single one.
Convene the Room: You don't need the answers to add value. Bringing strong people together who want to meet each other is the value.
Join a Community: Find a group where people would notice if you stopped showing up, and skip any where the first question is "what's your ideal client?"