There is a great deal of science surrounding the impact our social networks have on us.
Numerous studies have shown that we pick up most of our habits from our parents (Brown Univ. Study – 50,000 families).
In a 2012 Yale University study, parents who gambled increased the likelihood that their children would gamble as adults.
According to research conducted by Edward Horwitz, PhD, CFP and Associate Professor of Behavioral Science at Creighton University Heider College of Business, money patterns we observe in childhood drive our financial decisions later in life.
Parents’ educational pursuits influenced their children’s educational pursuits later in life according to a 2009 longitudinal study of 856 people according to Bowling Green University’s Psychologist Eric Dubow’s research.
Achieving success is no accident.
If your social network is comprised of successful people, their habits will become your habits. This is why it is so important to surround yourself with the right people. If your social network includes success-minded people you will pick up their habits, thinking, behaviors and work ethic.
Conversely, if your social network is comprised of negative-minded people who see obstacles everywhere, or made up of people who have bad habits, or includes individuals who gamble or have bad money habits, you will become infected by them.
Success is a process. Part of that process requires that you surround yourself with others who are pursuing success or are already successful.
Their habits will infect you like a virus.