“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” -Steve Jobs
It’s amazing how someone can say something to us when we’re 10 years old and it still has an impact on us when we’re 50! So many people that I talk to have been scarred by voices from their past. Maybe it was a teacher who told us we’d never amount to anything, maybe it was a boss who told us we are worthless, maybe it’s the boy or girl you had a crush on that said you were ugly, maybe your parents only focused on what was wrong with you instead of what’s right about you.
Then there are those who have changed our lives forever as a result of the good they spoke over our lives. The first person that told you that you were a leader and had potential, the first time someone pointed out your gifts, or the first person who helped you realize that you can dream big and go for it.
If we’re wise, we’ll learn to run away from people who bring us down and surround ourselves with people that lift us up. Today I want to focus on the people you should run away from. 
Here is my list:
Pessimists – I have a really hard time being around people who always see the negative side of things. If someone in your life is always saying, “You can’t, don’t get your hopes up, you’re crazy, don’t think that will ever happen for you, etc.” RUN!
Critics that Don’t Love You – Criticism can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Often it depends on who is giving it. The critics that you want to run from are critics that do not love you and have your best interest in mind. If the purpose of someone criticizing you or the criticism itself isn’t going to help you get better, ignore it and run!
Subtracters and Dividers – There are people in your life who subtract and divide. People who subtract, bring us down. People who divide, have the ability to tear us apart with their words and attitudes. Don’t waste your time with either of these people.
Whiners and Complainers – In addition to being pessimistic, whiners and complainers, can never have a conversation without whining and complaining about something they are not happy about. These people will drain you. Run!
The Voice of Your Past – Sometimes we need to run from ourselves. The voice that tells us we can’t do something. The voice that validates our insecurities and fears. When these thoughts start coming your way, catch it, and focus on what God says about you.
What other type of people do we need to run from?
Who are the people in your life that are constantly bringing you down?
**Note if these people are people you live with, like your parents, I am not telling you to run away from home! That is another conversation for another day!
Thoughts?
Tomorrow we’ll focus on people to surround ourselves with!
