One of the quickest ways to get to know someone on a deeper level is to meet their friends. As the saying goes, "you don’t get to choose your family but you do get to choose your friends."

As a business success coach one of the biggest obstacles to small business success or personal success, for that matter, are the friends my clients choose. Whether you are a self-employed business owner, entrepreneur or solo professional your business and who it attracts, at least in the early stages is all about you.

Friends—Who Are You Attracting?

Whether you are starting your own business or running a small business tips the force of the character and personality of the business owner stands out. Obviously this can work either to your benefit or against you. Either way, you are a work in progress. And, you have a choice. You can either choose to improve "you" or you can remain the same.

To have the small business success and growth you seek remaining the same is not an option. You may be on the right track but if you are standing still you will get run over. Who you attract into your life to a large extent depends on who you are. Your friends are a reflection of you and where you are at.

When it comes to friends the first step is to look at who you are attracting.

Friends—What Are They Doing To You?

Most of the time, in my personal business coaching practice, my clients can tell me what their friends do for them. That’s easy. Here’s the more difficult question. What are your friends doing to you?

When you are with and immediately after you have been with one of your friends ask yourself how you feel. Don’t try to use logic to defend a relationship. Be honest about how you feel. Are you better for the experience? If not, it’s time, whenever possible, to either limit or delete the relationship.

Friends—Are They Lifting You Up?

That’s right. Good friends and personal associations will lift you up. You have goals and dreams. If the people close to you are dragging you down, then it may be time to make some changes.

History is full of stories of individuals who became highly successful after they brought the right people into their lives. If you have a goal or dream to become a successful small business owner then go for it.

But, if your friends don’t believe you can become a successful small business owner then you do have to do something about it. Yes, your life is your choice. Choices have consequences. You can keep people and friends around you who are taking you away from your dreams or you can change them.

Once again, your life is your choice. If your friends aren’t working for you go out and find some new friends.

Life’s too long to spend it with people who pull you in the wrong direction. And it’s too short not to invest in others. Your relationships and your friends will define you. And they will influence your talent—one way or the other.