Peer pressure

Peer pressure.

Usually when we think about those 2 words we think about the "bad" things kids are being subjected to - usually at school. But we are all affected by peer pressure.

* If you associate with people who smoke and drink too much chances are going to be good you will too.
* If you associate with people who enjoy going to the game more than working out, something tells me you'll be hanging at the game rather than working up a sweat in the gym.
* If you associate with people who challenge you to be more, then as you can imagine, you are going to have to raise your game if you want to "keep up".

Today my daughter has 3 of her school friends over for a sleep over - well it's school holidays, so that's ok. So far they have eaten a proper dinner - protein, some carbs and lots of veggies and are now sitting watching a movie. But what was interesting was the bit that preceeded dinner. I've been working with my two "littlies" (17 and 15 and both as tall as me !!) on school type assignments. Learning how to create branded labels for new products, writing reviews and editorials and learning how to structure essays and so on. But every day we sit down and have 20 random words for spelling (basically because the teachers seem to have forgotten the basics) ....but today I gave out 4 pieces of paper and pens (Eden had already completed his spelling test) and the girls sat down at the table and wrote their answers to today's spelling test. How many 17 year old girls would willingly do that? Apart from the four in my house that is?

And that is the beauty of peer pressure. They took the challenge in the fun way it was intended. When one of them didn't get 100% they made her re-write the ones she got wrong - but in a good natured way.

When you associate with people who want you to do well, they will ensure you do - because they will help you.

So - today's assignment. Who do you associate with? And is that a good or a bad thing?

If your associates are taking you away from your dreams and goals because they always have something they want to do and you have to join in, then something tells me you need to rethink your friends and your priorities. But if your friends and associates are challenging you, supporting you and expecting you to do what you say you are going to do, then I'd say you've got the right kind of peer pressure happening.

Do you have the right kind of peer pressure?