Helpful People Exercise

Clear away obstacles that clutter your life. Open up the energy of your life with the helpful people exercise. This process supports the best use of personal energy by discerning individuals in your community that contribute to your greatest and highest good.

Review the people you feel closest to using a reality check. Sense how they influence you in your life.  Identifying the positive and trustworthy people in your community, changes your world for the better. In the ancient art of numerology, the number 155 is a symbol for manifestation.

Connect with community  

Scientific studies have proven that the human brain is wired to work optimally in communities numbering 150 people. The human brain is capable of remembering 150 individual faces and names. Humans around the world are naturally drawn to tribes, towns, and communities numbering 150. According the Wikipedia, the Dunbar number of 150 is a suggested cognitive limit to the number of people with who one can maintain stable social relationships.

It takes a village

Personal influence is greatly enhanced by connecting with community.  It’s a proven phenomenon that one person sharing an idea with only 150 people can create a trend that sweeps the globe. Reaching out to 150 key individuals in your community, one person at a time, begins a flow of positive energy.

Inner circle

Identify your inner circle. Your inner circle affects your thinking, your self-esteem, and the decisions you make. The people you spend the most time with get the majority of your time and shape your success.  Insure success with the right people by your side. You are the sum total of your five closest friends. Consider these steps to identity key people that uplift your life.

Helpful people list

• Make a list of all the helpful people who know you on a first name basis. Begin the list with the categories; family members, inner circle friends, and outer circle friends.  Next list casual acquaintances, peers, work associates, and individuals you are connected to in your community.  
• Review the people on the list. One by one, identify how you feel about that person. Imagine that individual in your mind’s eye, tune into your gut feeling, and note your first impression for how you feel about that individual. Evaluate if they help or hinder you.  Be honest with yourself about your feelings. The true answer is either “up” or “down”, with no in-betweens. A clear answer means no excuses or explanations are necessary!

• The choice is clear: your energy is either uplifted or depleted after being in someone’s presence. Anything that appears neutral depletes energy. If your sense of being with an individual is not positive, then that experience is taking up your energy with little benefit. The bottom line of any energy exchange is that your gut response is either positive or negative.

Clarify knowing

1. Say that person’s name out-loud. Think how you feel while being with that person and feel the emotion you sense about them.  
2. Choose a symbol below that work for you
3. A happy smiley face with upturned smile, a neutral face with flat-line smile, or a sad face with a downturned-frown.
4. An arrow that points up, down or sideways. Draw an arrow depicting the direction your energy goes from being with that person. Draw an upward arrow for uplifting your energy. Draw a horizontal arrow for neutral energy. Draw a downward arrow for a person that lowers your energy.
5. Draw the face symbol or arrow direction next to each name down the list.
6. Look at your list. Notice the smiley faces or upward arrows you see. Highlight the smiles and upward arrows with a yellow marker. (Hopefully there will be more ups than downs!)  The idea is to refine your helpful people list by choosing those who are uplifting and make you smile.

Refine the group of 55

Refine the list, noting names with a positive symbol. Highlight a group of the top 55 by circling their names. Review the list again by saying the person’s name out loud, and imagine being with them. Pay attention to how you feel.  Listen to your gut, and make a quick decision following your intuition. Add a second smiley face or upward arrow for those who light up your life.  

Identify your top 10 outer circle

From the 55 highlighted names, draw a heart symbol next to 10 names that uplift you the most.

Identify your top 5 inner circle.

Do your favorite people represent the things you value? According to motivational speaker Jim Rohn, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” People are greatly influenced by those closest to them. According to the law of average theory; the result of any given situation will be the average of all outcomes.

Insure a greater chance of success by having the right people by your side- especially the five closest people you spend the most time with. Review your helpful people lists: 155 community, 55 group, 10 outer circle, 5 inner circle. Now you have identified a vast resource available to you!

Another perspective on helpful people:  Our survival depends on a close group of people. 

• Narrow your helpful people list to a group of 150. In the military a group composed of 60-200 soldiers is a Company, Battery, or Troop.
• Refine the group of 30 people, in the military, a group of 18-50 individuals is a Platoon.
• From the Platoon group, choose your inner circle. In the military, this is known as a Squad made up of 6-10 soldiers. 

CARE OF HELPFUL PEOPLE

Honor your inner and outer circles as a vast resource in your life. Demonstrate this truth with an attitude of gratitude for each helpful person in your life.

Show appreciation for each individual who have contributed to your life in friendship, support, or service. Take a moment to recognize each one for making a difference in your life. Send them a written word or prayer of gratitude for what they have contributed to your life. Write a note and deliver it in person for those who are extra special.  

Respect your helpful people lists so that you can easily connect. Create a contact list, electronic file, or address book with each person’s name and current contact information; address, phone number, and email address. Update the list on an annual basis.

Contact each person on the list to circulate positive energy. Reach out with a short message of gratitude to communicate appreciation for how that person adds to your life.

Connect with those you truly value with the greatest gift of all – your human touch. Make time for your inner circle by setting a specific time to connect on a regular basis. Show respect with your full presence and undivided attention. Demonstrate appreciation in real time by turning off electronic devices and being present with visual contact.

Be open to receive. Allowfriends and family to support you in your life. Helpful People help you to build your life. Connect with these key people on a regular basis to keep them posted of events you are excited about. Staying connected with your inner circle holds space to pass life-sustaining energy along to others.

What goes around comes around

Be true to yourself regarding the exchange of energy around key relationships. The natural flow of energy is a give and take. Healthy balance evens out with energy exchanges that feel good to all concerned.  Give sincerely, then detach from the outcome to allow energy to flow for the greatest and highest good. You will be amazed at what comes back to you!

Keep your standards high.  Speak and demonstrate your truth. Authentic energy works for the greatest and highest good and returns in positive ways. Being with the right people for you, allows love to flow unconditionally.

Healthy boundaries for vital relationships

It’s an act of self-love to hold healthy boundaries. When you become aware that something no longer adds uplifting energies to your life, minimize future exposure by distancing in respectful ways.  

Best use of energy is a habit that consistently moves towards what is uplifting. Intend uplifted energy in all that you do. Communicate your needs and watch for consistent positive responses. When personal needs are dis-respected, distancing provides relief, allowing positive energy to flow back into your life.      

What you give, so you shall receive

Create your new Helpful People community from the inside out by honoring, valuing, and appreciating yourself. Allow only good on your path. Share love with those who appreciate the gift of who you are. Be generous in demonstrating gratitude for your community. The energy of love shared in relationships empowers lives.

Cultivate your Helpful People lists on New Year’s, birthdays, or after any significant change such as moving, health challenges, or loss. Let go of what no longer serves you. Continually adjust your Helpful People lists. Bless and release relationship for the greatest and highest good of all concerned. The key to a happy life is to move towards what feels good – with the freedom and good will to follow joy.

“I am receiving now and continually Prosperity from all those that I positively affect with the projection of my energy.”

Louise Hay

Author, You Can Heal Your Life