“The fastest way to change yourself is to hang out with people who are already the way you want to be.”

Why it was said

Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha write this in The Start-up of You as part of their case that a career is built through other people. It sits in their discussion of relationships, where they argue that the people you spend time with shape the skills, habits and ambitions you develop.

What it actually means

The line treats your environment as a tool for change rather than a backdrop to it. Willpower and self-study are slow; spending time with people who already work the way you want to work changes your sense of what is normal, gives you a model to copy and often opens doors as well. It is not an argument for dropping old friends or chasing status. It is a practical observation about learning: skills and standards spread through proximity, so choosing who you work alongside, who you learn from and which communities you join is one of the most consequential career decisions you make.

How to use it

1. 1Name one quality you want to build and find two people who already have it; arrange to spend more working time near them.
2. 2Join one group, project or community this month where the average member is a step ahead of you in the skill you want.