The Power of Positive Influence: How Your Surroundings Shape Your Mindset

Are you at that stage in your career where you feel like all you hear anymore is the “whann, whann, whann” repeating around the water cooler? What if I told you that continuing to take in that information has a powerful influence on your success, as it makes you just as miserable as the complainers talking it out?

Oh yes, the things you take in can have that big of an impact on even those with the most positive outlook. 

 Let’s take a moment to dive into a topic that can significantly impact your journey toward personal growth and empowerment—the power of positive influence. We’re talking about how what you hear, see, and surround yourself with can shape your mindset, boost your self-worth, and propel you toward your goals. Get ready to explore how to harness these positive influences to become your most empowered version!

The Psychological Impact of Auditory Information

First things first—let’s talk about the power of auditory information. Have you ever noticed how certain songs can instantly lift your mood, or how a podcast can leave you feeling inspired and ready to take on the world? That’s because what you hear directly links your emotions and thoughts. It can shape how you perceive yourself and your capabilities. Whether the information you are listening to has a positive impact or a negative one is up to what you choose to expose yourself to. 

According to research in psychology, auditory inputs can alter brain waves, influencing your emotional state and even your productivity. So, choosing what you listen to isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about setting the tone for your entire day. Imagine starting your morning with an empowering playlist or listening to a motivational podcast on your commute. Just 10 minutes of listening can influence energy and leave you with a positive attitude instead of a negative one.

That’s the power of positive influence in action!

Curating Your Inputs for Maximum Growth

Now, I know life can feel like a whirlwind sometimes. Between work, family, and everything else on your plate, it might seem like you don’t have much control over your own influence style. But here’s the good news: you have more control than you think. 

Start by curating what you let into your mental space. Here are some actionable steps to get you started:

• Create a Playlist: Make a playlist of songs that inspire and energize you. Use it to kickstart your day or recharge when feeling low.
• Choose Podcasts Wisely: Subscribe to podcasts that align with your goals and values. Whether it’s entrepreneurship, personal growth, or mindfulness, there’s a podcast out there that can motivate and educate you.
• Mind Your Media: Be selective about the TV shows, movies, and news you consume. Opt for content that leaves you feeling positive and informed rather than anxious or overwhelmed.

By consciously choosing positive inputs, you’re improving your mood and actively shaping your mindset for success.

Music and Podcasts for Personal Growth

Now, let’s dive into some specific recommendations that can support your journey. Here are a few music artists and podcasts that align with the power of positive influence:

Music Artists:

• Meghan Trainor: “I Wanna Thank Me” Is on my daily pump me up list and I am not ashamed to say it. Meghan has some pretty catchy songs out to pump you up in a positive way. 
• Lizzo: ​Lizzo is one of those artists who has taken the calling of a higher purpose to a whole new level. She can build you up better than most artists I know in 3 minutes or less. 
• Joy & Soul: The music that Joy & Soul puts out will speak to you. Literally. It will drive home those concepts that will create a positive impact on your daily life and leave you inspired no matter when you are listening. 

Honorable Mention: Check out some of the different guided meditations (not while you are driving, please) or healing frequencies on YouTube. Both of these can be strong influencers on positive influence and are so accessible! 

Podcasts:

• Make Some Noise: An easy to digest deep dive into the world of self help that will leave you feeling empowered, one episode at a time. 
• You’ve Got Nerve: Features interviews with badass rockstars who found the nerve to chase their sense of purpose, amongst other things!
• We Can Do Hard Things: Dives into the hard conversations of society today, and leaves you with a positive outlook even on the conversations with a negative subject matter. 

Integrating these artists and podcasts into your routine consistently reinforces a mindset geared toward growth and empowerment. While they can all certainly help you get to a better place, all of these podcasts and/or artists will not resonate with everyone. Feel free to switch it up if one or more do not jive with something else that feels good. 

The Role of Conversations in Shaping Your Mindset

Let’s shift gears a bit and talk about conversations. The people you interact with daily can profoundly impact your thoughts and attitudes. We all have those friends or family members who, whether they mean to or not, tend to focus on the negative.

Here’s how you can manage these interactions to ensure they don’t derail your positivity:

• Set Boundaries: Politely steer conversations away from negative topics. If someone insists on bringing negativity into your space, setting a boundary or limiting your exposure is okay.
• Seek Out Uplifting Peers: Surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you. Engage with those who encourage your growth and believe in your dreams.
• Be a Positive Influence: Model the behavior you want to see. Lift others up and focus on solutions rather than problems.

When you surround yourself with positive influences, your mindset will shift towards optimism and possibility.

Leaving Conversations that Do NOT Align

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you find yourself stuck in conversations that don’t serve you. When it happens, here’s a few tips on how to exit gracefully:

• Acknowledge and Redirect: Thank the person for sharing and then gently steer the conversation to a more positive topic. If that gentle redirect doesn’t work, you can always take a page out of my friend Becca’s book and start putting your thumbs down to the negative conversation. I seriously loved this tactic she used during a conversation about judging the looks of others, and it proved an effective way to encourage the redirect further! 
• Set a Time Limit: If a conversation is going south, let the person know you have limited time and need to wrap up. You may not have an engagement set in place, but guess what? Once you hit this stage of negative conversation, you just made an appointment with yourself to cleanse the garbage energy from your space. 
• Excuse Yourself: If the conversation becomes unproductive or negative, excuse yourself. If a person or conversation is becoming a bad influence on your positive energy, it’s time to walk away. A simple “excuse me, but this is not a conversation I am comfortable continuing,” delivered with a smile, can go a long way. 

Remember, you have the right to protect your mental space and award exclusive access to your bubble when needed. Prioritizing your well-being isn’t selfish—it’s essential. These tactical approaches will give you some easy ways to back out of the conversation. The power of positive influence includes the influence you have on others. If it is clouding your mental space, chances are, it’s clouding someone else’s.

Upgrading Your Peer Group

Lastly, let’s talk about how upgrading your peer group correlates to the power of positive influence. Surrounding yourself with the right people can be a game-changer. Here’s how to do it:

• Join Communities: Look for online forums, local meetups, or social media groups that align with your interests and goals. These are communities where you can interact with positive people who will provide good influence. 
• Network with Purpose: Attend events or workshops to meet like-minded individuals who share your aspirations. Events where you can meet people at any stage of their career who exhibit more positivity than the status quo. 
• Seek Mentors: Find someone who has achieved what you aspire to and learn from them. A mentor can provide invaluable guidance and support. Really work on finding those positive leaders who can become role models for developing your leadership styles with their years of experience. 

By consciously choosing your influences, you’ll find yourself uplifted, motivated, and ready to tackle any challenge that comes your way.

Final Thoughts on the Power of Positive Influence

The power of positive influence is real, and it’s at your fingertips. By curating the music, podcasts, and conversations that fill your life, you’re setting the stage for incredible growth and transformation. YOU have the ability to make a profound impact on your emotional intelligence. Remember, you are the average of the five influences you spend the most time with. So, make them count!

Let’s continue this conversation in the comments below! What are your favorite songs or podcasts that empower you? How have positive influences changed your mindset? Share your thoughts and let’s support each other on this journey of growth and empowerment.