How to Spot a Room That Changes Everything

I grew up on the South Side of Chicago and attended Chicago Public Schools. This was not the land of big dreams. The people around me were hard-working, but their aspirations were often practical and close to home. No one was jetting off to DC for a summer internship or talking about their acceptance to an Ivy League school. Many were headed right to the workforce or into the military after high school. Life revolved around the neighborhood, and dreams rarely stretched beyond attending a state college.

Now, contrast that with a world where kids grow up going to “Take Your Kid to Work Day” at their parent’s law firm or at fortune 500 companies. Or where kids grow up internationally because their parents work for the State Department. In those circles, thinking big is the default.

I did have some entrepreneurial influences, my parents scraped together enough to buy a $28K rental property, then another ten years later. And my first job (beyond babysitting) was working as a bookkeeper for my neighbor’s gourmet artisan cheese distribution business. But for the most part, my exposure to big visions and bold possibilities came later in life.

The Circle That Shapes You
Whether you grew up in a neighborhood where everyone worked in factories, as an Army brat living on base, or in a place where every parent had a white-collar job, we didn’t choose our beginnings. But we do choose who we surround ourselves with today.

You’ve probably heard the saying: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” It’s not just a catchy phrase, it’s reality. Your circle shapes your mindset, your standards, your possibilities.

So, here’s the real question: How can you widen your circle?
When you choose right, you gain:
New perspectives — You see options you didn’t even know existed.
New opportunities — You hear about jobs, projects, and ideas you never would have stumbled across.
New standards — You naturally raise your game when you’re surrounded by people playing at a higher level.

3 Ways to Enlarge Your Circle (and Choose the Right People)
Put yourself in new rooms — on purpose
Attend events, conferences, or meetups that attract people you admire or want to learn from. Volunteer on a board. Take a class outside your comfort zone. You can’t expand your network from your couch.

Look for the “energy spark”
The right rooms will light you up. You’ll feel more engaged, curious, and maybe even a little nervous. Pay attention to that tingle of imposter syndrome. It often means you’re in the right place, stretching into your next version of yourself.

Seek people who think differently
If everyone in your circle agrees with you and shares your exact experiences, you’re in an echo chamber. Seek out people from different industries, backgrounds, and life paths. The contrast will open your mind. We don’t get to pick where we start. But we do get to pick who we surround ourselves with, and those choices can expand your vision in ways that your younger self couldn’t have imagined.

So here’s your challenge: Put three things on your calendar this week that will put you in new rooms, spark new conversations, or connect you with people who think differently. What are you going to do first?

If you’re ready to widen your circle and design a career that fuels your life, not the other way around. Connect with me for your complimentary connection call. Together, we’ll unapologetically prioritize your desires, reclaim your power, and define your work in a way that feels aligned, exciting, and uniquely yours. Schedule HERE!
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