Friends and Jim Rohn

[IWannaGo]

How do you choose your friends later in life, after 35?  To me, having only FIRE friends might seem a little extreme (but super cool!), so how about financially responsible in general?  Would you surround yourself with only those who are financially responsible (aside from family, as there are other dynamics in play)?  What would you do with long time friends who you find are swimming in debit, continue the behavior, feel ignorance is bliss where money is concerned...and no one is getting any younger...?

If you're not familiar with Jim Rohn and some of his quotes, here is what I'm looking for insight on...

"We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with" ~J. Rohn

[matchewed]

So you've decided that this Rohn guy is correct and you are just an accumulated averages of people you spend time with...

Ignoring that the initial premise is probably BS, I find that spending time with people I enjoy spending time with is much more of an important aspect to consider than what their financial situation/plans are. That is not to say that their financial choices does not affect my enjoyment of spending time with them but that it is not the whole of it either.

Now let's bring in the BS. What qualifies this person to have such an influence on how you should live your life? If I was a stay at home parent of five children would I suddenly devolve into a child because of this law of averages?

I would try to treasure my time with those I care about regardless of their financial positions. I would try to find activities which align both of our values and would make both of us happy.

[aceyou]

I recommend being friends and spending time with as wide a variety of people as possible.  It helps me build empathy and to recognize my privilege.  It helps point out my biases and lessen them.  It allows me to be an example to others, and learn from people who are very different than me.  It often leaves me coming home at night very grateful for all that I have. 

But to your point, definitely find high achieving people to put into this mix also.  Rohn's overall point still has some truth to it.  New neighbors moved in who are super into fitness.  I'm considered fit by most people's standards, but they have definitely inspired me to take it up another notch.  Being around inspiring people is...inspiring:)

[Dr. Pepper]

Peer pressure is a strong motivator, Rohn was all about different ways to motivate yourself to change things. So it makes sense he would say something like that.

[IWannaGo]

Thanks for the perspectives thus far.  For any future readers, note, my questions does NOT include family in the "5" equation.  It's more of shaping the influencers around you, and I see from the replies thus far the benefits in diversity, acceptance, appreciation, and inspiration.  All good stuff!