Another cost of greatness will be the effect upon your existing relationships.

Most people define themselves by their relationships.

How their friends, acquaintances and family members “see” them is who they believe they are. This changes as you become self-actualized.

Your friends and acquaintances will become a byproduct of who you believe you are.

You will no longer feel the need to be a “part of a crowd” or to “fit in”.

This will be a radical departure from the norm for many who undertake the journey into personal greatness. So much so, that it’s not unusual for some to feel apprehensive about even considering any change to their current friends and acquaintances. Let me put your fears to rest.

You will find any changes that take place will be a normal natural progression. If you decide that your current friends and acquaintances are a bad influence. You may have to “cut the umbilical cord”. This would be the most extreme situation. In most cases however, one of two things is probably going to happen:

1. Certain friends and acquaintances will turn out to be fully supportive of your desire to do what is necessary for your journey into personal greatness. You may find that they too have embarked upon their own journeys. These relationships will continue and deepen over time. Both of you will discover mutually fascinating aspects of each other as your trust and support becomes the cornerstone of your relationships.

2. You will find that certain friends and acquaintances will react with skepticism, question your motives and your approach or will be offended that you somehow think you are better than they are! Pay attention, this can happen on a subtle level or be very obvious.

It’s hard to believe that people who you now consider to be your friends or acquaintances could be offended at your desire to better yourself.

It’s a fact!

It will surprise you who (if any) will have this reaction. You see, your personal determination and decision to take a journey into being the best that you can be is a direct threat to those who have decided (for whatever reason) that the life they are now living is as good as it’s going to get. You are in essence telling them that you have decided that there is more that you want to discover…that you want more out of life.

The “oh you think you’re better than me” reaction is more common than you think.

Overtime as you become more familiar with the infinite degrees of personal greatness you are capable of achieving, you will begin to recognize those individuals who have “given up”. What you may also find is that they also recognize you as someone who has not “given up”. You may without any intent on your part, become an intimidating reminder of their own lack of desire and determination to better themselves. Your energy and enthusiasm is overwhelming. Your light is too powerful for those who cover and subdue their own.

What I’m saying here is this: If you embark upon a journey into personal greatness your friends and acquaintances are going to change over time! They will be replaced wonderful new relationships with like-minded individuals. You will have the kind of people in your life who will enhance and empower you. This is a good thing!

The “others” who see you as a threat to their own “world view” will remove themselves from your life. Just don’t be surprised at who it is or when it happens…because it will!

-Bob Baran