By: Philippe SHOCK Matthews

You already know this drill; remove toxic relationships from your life. In my book, The Shock Wealth System, I mention that the people who have helped you get to where you are in life may not be the people who can take you to the next level of life.

That being said, you must not abruptly sever a relationship that is no longer suiting you or has become toxic; first you must find the value and the lesson(s) learned from being in that relationship to begin with.

All relationships are designed strictly to teach us how to love more of our disowned selves so the worse person in our lives are really the most positive role models perhaps in the reverse because they teach us what not to do and who not to be.

In developing an exit strategy for the relationships that no longer has value in your life, sit down and make a list of the value they bring, or once brought; big or small. Then ask yourself “how much time do I spend on the phone, in person or emailing this person.” What level of exposure and access do I give them in my life? After finding their key qualities and value, you may decide to only engage them in limited conversation on subjects relating to your personal goals, dreams and aspirations.

Some relationships may not work for you now but they may have a quality or resource that you can use later so try not to burn bridges unless it has become a toxic relationship and emotionally or physically harms you. Be cordial but mindful that this person may not have any clue that they are being toxic, most times they are consciously unconscious and are the last to know that they have greatly worn out their welcome in your life.

Also know that people most times can’t see in you what they cannot see or refuse to see in themselves. To keep you in their concentric sphere (reality), they may use guilt, leveling and various manipulations to keep you in their emotional sight.

Let these people go so you can GROW!