In the ninth lesson of the '10 Principles for Your American Dream', Gillian Ortega addresses the principle of Avoid Negative People. This principle focuses on building a positive circle of influence that supports and encourages your journey toward success.

Gillian emphasizes that you become like the people you spend the most time with. If you surround yourself with negative, pessimistic people who constantly complain and make excuses, you'll inevitably adopt their mindset and behaviors. Conversely, spending time with positive, successful people elevates your own thinking and performance.

The Influence Factor:

Whether you realize it or not, the people around you are constantly influencing your thoughts, attitudes, and decisions. Gillian teaches that proximity is power - being close to the right people can accelerate your success, while being around the wrong people can sabotage your dreams.

Identifying Negative Influences:

Negative people often disguise themselves as "realistic" or "practical." They'll tell you why your dreams won't work, remind you of past failures, and discourage you from taking risks. Gillian warns that these people steal your energy and poison your mindset.

Building Your Success Circle:

Instead of avoiding all people, Gillian encourages you to intentionally seek out positive, growth-minded individuals. Look for mentors, join success-oriented groups, and build relationships with people who challenge you to become better.

Protection Strategy:

Sometimes you can't completely avoid negative people (family, coworkers, etc.). In these cases, Gillian teaches you to limit exposure and protect your mental space through positive self-talk, affirmations, and quickly refocusing on your goals.