Do your friends give you permission to stay where you are? Or do they encourage you to be what you are truly capable of being?

In my opinion, a real true friend is not someone who simply agrees with you. Or never tells you that you can be any better. Instead, a good friend encourages you to tap into your greatness and do what they know you can accomplish. I believe a true friend is someone that pushes you to follow your dreams and pursue your deepest passions. To become the best version of you possible. A friend is someone who is there to celebrate your victories as if they were their own and would expect the same in return for theirs. They are there for you when the world is caving in. They also tell you what you really need to hear when you need it, not necessarily what you want to hear. I believe a true friend is someone who will snap you back to reality and kick you in the tail when you need it most.

To be honest, I’d rather have one true friend like that then a hundred phony ones that don’t push me any day. What’s the point of a fake friend? Are they even a friend or simply an acquaintance?

I believe there are many of us out there that give our friends permission to stay right where they are. To linger there lukewarm, never growing. Why do we do this? To be dead honest, it’s because many of us have become complacent in our own lives and if our friends grow, then it makes us “look bad.” It takes away that excuse we use for us not succeeding and becoming better ourselves. No longer can we say “well everyone else is the same, I’m not that bad.” We no longer have that comparison anymore to justify our lack of greatness in our minds.

“For every person seeking greatness, there are dozens more charged with safeguarding their mediocrity.” -R.G.

I challenge you to step out of that comfort zone and encourage those around you to become the best they can. Stop giving them the excuse to stay where they are. Let me be clear: I’m not saying run out there and judge everyone and start telling them they are a screwup. That’s a fast track way to lose all of your friends. Just don’t let them become complacent and settle when you know they can aspire to do great things. Encourage them that they can become incredible in their endeavors. Tell them when you know they are capable of doing something amazing.