Are you the smartest or the dumbest person in the room?

A lot of people blame their circumstances for the lack of inspiration to take action in life.

I hear a lot from my friends and clients: ‘Well, if I could travel as much as you do, I’d also be inspired and happy’.

But travelling isn’t the root of the problem.

First, it’s the mindset, of course - but that’d become a whole book if I were to elaborate on it.

Secondly, it’s people. The people you surround yourself with. If your circle of friends has barely changed in the past 10 years, it is no surprise that you are getting little inspiration from your environment.

I am acutely aware that I am the average of the five people I surround myself with. I truly believe this theory.

When I noticed that all of my friends in Bali have moved elsewhere and I wasn’t being challenged or inspired, I went through all of my contacts and friends of friends and set up calls with the five most inspiring people. Most of whom were way wealthier, more successful and inspiring than me - and that was precisely my goal.

I don’t care about being the smartest person in the room, quite the opposite. I am very happy when I interact with people who are way ahead of me and I can simply ask them: ‘How do you do it? What drives you? How do you run your enterprise? How do you make art?’ The questionnaire is endless.

If you are the smartest and most inspiring person in the room, you have a problem.

Have the courage to put your ego aside and interact with people who challenge you, who are ahead of you, and who will eventually inspire you to take action in your life.

Don’t know how to do it?

Here is one way.