A large part of my business model is focused on interpersonal relationships. Humans are social creatures and we constantly engage in relationships with others through work, school, social media and elsewhere. Human connection is an important part of our lives, and we make a point to interact with the people we feel closest to.

It’s great to have a lot of friends. However, the key is to have the proper social interactions and the proper interpersonal relationships to achieve success and happiness in your life. Not everyone is going to be in support of your success and your dreams. Who are you going to let into your circle?

That’s why I love the term “circle of influence.” You probably interact with multiple people a day: employees, co-workers, parents, spouses, friends, children. These are all great relationships to have.

But let’s challenge ourselves for a minute. Make a list of the people you interact with on a monthly basis (continuously). This doesn’t include the woman at the checkout counter at the local grocery store -- really think. Narrow that list down to the five people you interact with the most. Don’t create judgments around these people just yet. This should be a true list of who is within your current circle, the people who you essentially have the closest relationships with.

Extra credit time: Can you think of anyone in your life currently who can help make you a better person? Write down five (a different five people) if you can. If you don’t have anyone in your life who could possibly be a mentor, think about whose life you may want to learn from.

How do we determine who is truly inside or outside our circle of influence?

The Outsiders

So often we try to fill our inner circle with as many family, friends, co-workers, etc., as possible to seem like we have it all. It is in our nature to look for trust, love and acceptance. But when we fill our circle with too many people, especially people who are not helping us grow as individuals, we don't create time for the strong interpersonal relationships that can help us succeed. We are wasting time on people who are not influencing us positively, people who are not giving us the energy we are giving them.

Below are five questions I use to determine whether I should let someone into my circle of influence. If you can answer “yes” to all four questions, then you can allow this person into your circle. You want to choose people who will help you strive to be the best entrepreneur, business owner, boss and person you can be.

The Winners

Think of your circle of influence like a team. You want the best players on your team so you have the best chance of winning, right? There are five players on the court for a basketball game per team, just like the five people in your circle of influence.

So, let’s imagine you’re the point guard. That’s your strong suit. You need to find other players who are better at rebounding and shooting to build up your team. Your circle of influence does not have to be restricted to just five teammates; however, you should absolutely restrict the number of people within your circle. What are your weaknesses? Find people who can make you better in the areas that you need it most. Find people who align with your values and your journey.