Would you agree with the common saying, “you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with?” If you believe this to be true then it’s safe to suggest your significant other would be included in this number.

Needless to say if your lover lacks the ambition and tenacity to succeed, more than likely his shortfalls pertaining too personal and professional development, will have a lasting impact on your road to success.

As we all know, love can make you do some pretty crazy things sometimes causing you to abandon your sound judgment.  There was a point in time while in a relationship I became so infatuated with the potential that I neglected to realize the reality of it all.

I’ve always been driven by the desire to succeed, not only in my chosen career path but also within all aspects of my life. While in a previous relationship, my then boyfriend and I shared similarities of pursuing big hopes and even bigger dreams.

Ahhh, a match made in heaven to say the least, with the possibility of being on our way to becoming the ultimate power couple within our perspective fields [OK, maybe not exactly but hopefully you get my gist].

Two years later, I noticed his actions didn’t quite match up with his words. I also noticed I was beginning to lose myself, falling into some of his bad ways. For instance, I wasn’t putting in as much effort into pursuing my goals and I began to abandon my commitments, for me this was totally outside of my character.

My ex’s lack of motivation and fear of transcending outside of his comfort zone was having an affect on me. It wasn’t until my personal “aha moment,” that I found myself paying closer attention to the warning signs.

Your partner is supposed to be your biggest supporter, there to encourage, uplift and bring out the very best in you at all times. Looking back, this was never quite the case with him and naturally I began to ask myself, “What exactly did he bring to the table?” Sadly I didn’t have the answers I was only at a loss for words.

A few years have passed since our breakup and to no one’s surprise he’s still stagnant and content in his old ways. I recently bumped into him and our conversation was reminiscent of the first time we met, discussing the same big dreams without the effort to match.

Luckily, I removed myself from that situation because if I didn’t, I’m pretty sure it would’ve stifled my individual growth. I’m grateful for the lesson in learning that energies are contagious. Whether you choose to believe it or not, the saying holds much truth, you definitely become like the five people you spend the most time with. Which is why it’s important to align yourself with people who share in your thirst to succeed, especially when it comes to choosing your significant other.