It's human nature to be influenced by the people in your inner circle. In fact, the odds of being successful are a lot higher if you're surrounding yourself with people who are also successful.

In a business context, consider very carefully the people and friends you associate with. Who plays a role in influencing your life? Who are your role models, mentors, and supporters?

"You're the average of the five people you spend most of your time with".

It really pays to think about who your top five are.

These people play a part in determining how you think, how you act, and ultimately how successful you will become.

As entrepreneurs, you're responsible for yourself. Being around the right people can help success come more naturally to you, instead of being around those who exhibit certain behaviours that hold you back. Keep an eye out for people who have the following traits:

1. People with an unbeatable work ethic

Perhaps this is you! People with the best work ethic will motivate and inspire you. True passion and commitment will breed a successful business.

2. Positive attitudes

If you are working with people who only see the negative or the problem, it will bring you down. It can get very tiring being around people who don't have a winning attitude.

People who are constantly pesimistic are in every business, so they can be hard to avoid, but you can balance the impact they have on you by finding positive people who look for opportunities and will take you higher.

3. Curious people

These people have an insatiable curiosity for business and life. They're the ones who are always asking 'why' or 'how' and genuinely keen to know more. These people will push you to be better thinkers, to ask better questions and ultimately to demand better results.

Take some time to think about your top five people in your life, or set up a regular catch up with people who help you and your business grow – it might be a monthly breakfast. It will be a positive experience for all members. If you're not surrounding yourself with champions, start thinking about how you could be.