Blogocentric Formulations

Influencers

"Blog City ~ Every Blogger's Paradise"  | Day 3190 Prompt ▼

Which kinds of people are the most influential in life? And what or who has had the most influence on you and are you okay with this influence?

I'm typically the most influenced by two types of people: the ones I really admire, and the ones that really drive me crazy.

People that I really admire give me something to aspire to. Over the years, I've found friends, coworkers, religious leaders, family members, etc. to all be huge influences on who I am now. In particular, a former boss and then mentor at work was the first executive who really showed me how to be a supervisor and a leader without being a jerk. My parents also taught me general responsibility and a strong work ethic. My pastor helped shape and better understand my faith.

People that drive me crazy can be just as, if not more influential for all the things I've learned not to do. I had two bosses, one of which was an egomaniacal narcissist and the other which was a passive aggressive manipulator, and I learned from both of them how not to manage people and conduct business. I've met plenty of religious people who have shown me how not to live out my faith.

Generally speaking, I'm okay with all the influences in my life because they've all shaped who I am today... and I'm pretty okay with who I am today. Both good and bad influences have formed my view of the world, and how I interact with it. If I didn't have those good and bad times that created those environments and the takeaways I had from them, I don't think I'd be the same person.


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