I love to talk about discipline.
Waking up early. Working late. Pushing harder. Grinding longer.
But here’s the truth most people miss:
Discipline will only get us so far.
The real X-factor?
Who we spend our time with.
The Science Proves It
Psychologist Dr. David McClelland found that the people we habitually associate with determine as much as 95% of our success or failure.
Let that sink in…
95%.
Sociologists have shown that our behavior, attitudes, even our body weight are heavily influenced by our peer group.
Hang out with fit people?
You’ll likely get in shape.
Hang out with driven entrepreneurs?
You’ll likely push harder toward your goals.
In other words: we rise or fall to the standards of those around us.
A Key Question to Ask
So if you’re struggling to reach your dreams, maybe the question isn’t, “How can I be more disciplined?”
Maybe it’s: “Who am I spending time with?”
Because high performers?
They don’t just have good habits. They have high-expectation environments.
They talk differently…
They think longer-term…
And they take more ownership.
They’re not perfect—but they’re serious about growth.
When we surround ourselves with people like that, something shifts in us.
We stop playing small.
We get more creative.
And suddenly, the things that felt so hard to do on our own… become natural.
Not because discipline got easier—but because our expectation for what’s attainable got elevated by the high performers around us.
The Takeaway
So yes, discipline matters.
But if we really want to grow?
We need to be ruthless about curating our circle.
Spend time with people who call you higher.
And watch what happens to your energy, your results, and your life.
