“Your energy is contagious. Either you affect people, or you infect them.” – Jon Gordon
The Success Highway: Are You Letting the Wrong People Steer Your Journey?
Think about your life as a high-speed road trip. You’re behind the wheel, navigating toward your dreams. Along the way, you have two types of passengers: those who help you stay on course and accelerate forward and pull the emergency brake at every turn.
Success isn’t just about skill or strategy; it’s about the people in your vehicle. Some are roadblocks; some are fuel. If you’re not careful, you might be giving a seat to someone siphoning your gas and leading you straight into a dead end.
Let’s break this down by identifying the two types of people that propel you forward or hold you back: The Wolves and The Sheepdogs.
🐺 The Wolves: Who’s Stealing Your Success?
Wolves aren’t just predators in the wild. They exist in real life, disguised as friends, colleagues, leaders, managers, or even family members. Their actions might not land them in jail, but they can rob you of something far more valuable: your energy, confidence, and progress.
🐺 They Steal Your Confidence
According to a study by the University of California, 93% of people admit that negative feedback from others has made them doubt their abilities. Wolves specialize in this. They plant seeds of doubt and make you second-guess yourself.
Tactic to Block Them: Keep a “Wins Journal.” Write down every success, big or small, and review it regularly to remind yourself of your progress.
🐺 They Steal Your Ideas
Have you ever shared a great idea in a meeting, only to hear someone else repeat it as their own? Harvard Business Review reports that 29% of employees experience idea theft, leading to frustration and disengagement.
Tactic to Block Them: Document everything. Record your ideas and share them in writing before discussing them openly.
🐺 They Steal Your Energy
Negativity is contagious. Studies show that being around pessimistic people increases your stress hormone levels by 26%. A Wolf will drain you by constantly complaining, focusing on problems, and making you feel guilty for being optimistic.
Tactic to Block Them: Create an “energy audit.” Write down the people who lift you versus those who drag you down. Limit your time with the latter.
🐺They Steal Your Future
You share an exciting dream, and instead of encouragement, you hear, “That’s unrealistic,” or “Be more practical.” That’s a dream thief at work. Research from Stanford University found that 80% of people abandon their goals not because they lack ability but because of discouraging feedback.
Tactic to Block Them: Only share your dreams with those who will help fuel them.
🐕 The Sheepdogs: Who’s Helping You Win?
Just as wolves exist, so do Sheepdogs, the people who keep you on the right path, safeguard your confidence, and push you to succeed. These people are the fuel to your engine.
A Real Story of a Sheepdog in Action
Years ago, a young salesman named Jake was struggling. Every call felt like rejection, and self-doubt started creeping in. He was ready to quit. But his mentor, a veteran salesperson named Mark, wouldn’t let him. Mark took him aside and said, “Jake, you’re either feeding the wolf of doubt or the sheepdog of belief. Choose wisely.”
Mark then did something crucial; he challenged Jake to make 10 more calls with a different mindset. Instead of fearing rejection, he focused on helping the customer. The result? He closed two deals that day. One mentor, one sheepdog, changed the course of Jake’s career.
This is what Sheepdogs do; they push you forward, even when you want to retreat.
🐕They Shield You from Negativity
Sheepdogs act as filters, keeping toxic influences away. Studies show that employees with a supportive work environment are 47% more productive and 21% more profitable than those without one.
Tactic to Keep Them Close: Express gratitude regularly; people who feel appreciated stay engaged and motivated to support you.
🐕 They Drive You Forward
A true Sheepdog doesn’t just support you. They challenge you to be better. Studies from MIT show that high performers are 400% more productive than average ones, and one key factor? The people they surround themselves with.
Tactic to Keep Them Close: Ask them to hold you accountable for your goals. Share your aspirations and request periodic check-ins.
🐕 They Celebrate Your Success
Sheepdogs genuinely root for you. Studies show that employees who feel recognized are 63% more likely to stay at their jobs and 89% more likely to feel motivated.
Tactic to Keep Them Close:
Become a Sheepdog yourself. Encourage, support, and celebrate others, and you’ll attract the same energy in return.
Your Success Action Plan
If you want to thrive, you need to protect your potential. Here’s your action plan:
✔ Step 1: Identify the Wolves in your life. Limit their influence or cut ties entirely if needed.
✔ Step 2: Recognize the Sheepdogs. Thank them, appreciate them, and keep them close.
✔ Step 3: Be a Sheepdog for others. The more you uplift, the more you attract the right energy.
✔ Step 4: Share this post with someone who needs a reminder that they have control over their success.
💬 Final Thought:
Success isn’t just about what you do. It’s about who you let ride with you. Choose wisely, and watch how fast you reach your destination.
