Surround yourself with successful people – that's what a lot of counselors suggest that you should do.

It's very good advice, because, to quote the proverb, what you see is what you'll be.

What you surround yourself with, the thoughts and feelings that you have and the people and the things around you, is what your subconscious mind believes you want – even if you hate it.

What your subconscious mind believes you want is exactly what it prompts you to go after.

Even if what you really want is great success and happiness, if you wear drab clothes, watch depressing TV programs, surround yourself with clutter and hang out with people who complain a lot, you'll be a miserable failure. That's what you see – that's what you'll be.

Surrounding yourself with positivity and success, though, boosts your energy and confidence and inspires you to go and get some of the same.

If you're just starting on the road to where you want to be, you may not yet be able to afford to hang out where successful people go – or dress well enough to get in if you did.

Here are 10 ways you can achieve the same effect.

1. Read about successful people, especially those who have achieved success in what you want to do.

Read what they've written, and what's been written about them. Try to get inside their minds and think the way they do.

What can you learn about the kind of people they are, and how they've solved whatever problems stood between themselves and their success? How can you apply their mindset to your situation?

2. Watch documentaries on TV. Successful people study what's going on, because often the difference between success and mediocrity is being informed enough to spot a trend before the competition.

Check the schedules and see how many programs have some valuable information for you.

While you're watching, reflect that some of the most successful people in the country are watching the same thing. You're in good company.

3. When you're checking out the schedules, don't forget the radio. Some stations have lots more information programs than TV.

4. Window-shop in stores that sell the sort of things you'd love to have. Looking doesn't cost you anything.

Familiarize yourself with how it feels to be among expensive things. Store up the feeling, and revisit it from time to time. It's very motivating.

5. Visit a good hotel or golf club. You don't need go inside – just walk past, soaking up the atmosphere.

See how many quality cars are in the car park. Picture yourself enjoying the same luxury.

6. Get some brochures, and study them in detail. They can be for houses, cars, clothes, jewelery, cruises, yachts or anything you like. Pick out all the ones you really like, and visualize yourself enjoying them.

Cut the pictures out and paste them in a scrapbook or hang them on the wall. See them every day, till you're comfortable with the idea that you can have the same, or even better.

7. Talk to positive, energetic, outgoing people. It doesn't matter whether they're successful already, or on their way to being so.

Whether they're at work or in your neighborhood, in a hobby-club or even in an online forum, enjoy a conversation with them and soak up all the positive energy you can. You'll feel much better and more confident for doing so.

8. Avoid people who complain a lot, or criticize, feel sorry for themselves or talk excessively about the past. Their negativity will drag you down along with them, and sabotage your confidence and what you can achieve.

It can be very difficult if they're your friends or family members, but if you want to make the best use of your abilities it's important to spend as little time in company like that as possible.

For the same reason, don't watch TV soaps. They're full of losers and self-pitying failures. Remember, what you see is what you'll be.

9. List all the things you want to do or be, and get pictures that will represent that (same principle as #6, but this time about achievement, not material goods).

Again, surround yourself with them and make them such a big part of your life that you can't help achieving the same things.

10. List all the things and people that you're grateful for, and do the same.

Do all this till it's natural, and feel the difference.

Your chance to join the world's successful people will arrive much sooner than you think.

Aislinn O'Connor
http://www.access-your-peak-performance-zone.com