I've found it helpful to have people in my life who have already been where I was trying to go. They were, knowingly or unknowingly, mentors who I watched and listened to. When I think about my life, I think of specific people who have influenced me and helped me get where I am today. I have surrounded myself with what I call "My Circle." This is a circle of people whom I include and welcome into my life. For me, these are the people who enjoy success in life, success in business, display good morals and are strong friends. They are the people who inspire me. I'm in close contact with some of them, and they know they are an important part of my life. Others have no idea that I'm watching and learning from them.

Are there people in your life who inspire you and encourage you to grow? Do you have role models to look up to and people whose advice you seek? Conversely, are there any toxic relationships in your life? If you feel like you're in a rut, check your circle.

As stress management professional Roger Mellott warns, don't let the "pie suckers" suck the energy right out of you. We start each day, he explains, with a full energy pie. But it might be that on your way to work a friend calls to complain about her boyfriend. There goes a piece of your pie. A driver cuts you off in traffic. More pie lost. You get to work and a coworker grumbles about all the work she has. There goes another piece of your

pie.

Do you get the picture? How much energy are we left with at the end of a day like that?

Remember, you have a purpose in life, a destiny to fulfill. Eliminate toxic relationships. Surround yourself with people who have been where you want to go and those who bring positive energy into your relationship. They can refuel your energy pie or provide inspiration to help you grow.

Find a mentor who inspires you, someone with a bigger or brighter vision than yours. Don't restrict your growth by the environment that surrounds you. Seek out people you enjoy and bring them into your circle.

This is especially important for young people. I believe we attract what we are. Think of it as tuning in a radio frequency. The more you work on yourself, the higher your frequency and those out there with the same frequency will be drawn to you. If you want relationships with people who are positive and enjoy a healthy lifestyle, that's who you'll tune in to. If you want a life of victory and success, be that and you'll tune in others with a similar vision.

Be positive. Celebrate each other's victories. If someone is talking negatively about someone else's success, be the one who ends the conversation. Always take the higher road. Someone might be watching you. This time, you just might be the mentor.

Troy Fontana owns Fontana Fitness in Sparks. To contact him, call 331-6919 or e-mail getfit@fontanafitness.com