Girlfriends who are Masterminds ... and wonderful at giving advice!

Several years ago, my girlfriends Katie and Lisa and I formed a mastermind group*. Each month we had a conference call where we shared an update on our businesses, requested and offered advice and set goals for the following month. Quarterly we'd try to get together at a trade show or for an overnight planning session for intense focus on our goals and dreams. (That photo is Katie and Lisa at one of our quarterly overnights!)

So often, as entrepreneurs, you don't have a sounding board or staff to celebrate with, ask for ideas, etc. Mastermind groups are a GREAT way to have a 'team' of people you respect helping you accomplish your goals. I highly recommend it. You don't have to live near each other, be in the same industry/business or be experts at everything! You do have to trust each person, look out for opportunities and ideas for each other and make a commitment to take the session and goals seriously. (If your mastermind team is taking time to discuss an idea for you, you probably want to at least explore it so they didn't waste their time - you know?)

After some changes in our lives, we agreed a year or so ago that we'd end the mastermind group. Change happens and none of us took it personally, or found replacement mastermind teams.

Things do change and fortunately for us, we're back at it! We had our third mastermind meeting this week and it was great. We caught up on goals, celebrated successes, shared ideas and planned our upcoming month. It really helps to have a plan and your mastermind team is so helpful in defining it.

Thanks Katie and Lisa for your ideas, advice, care and friendship. I'm so blessed to know you and to be back in touch again! And I know Girlfriendology will benefit from your wise and creative ideas!

* Here's a great article by Jane Pollak on Mastermind groups! She coaches creative women. Check out her web site for more info too!

A time to cry, a time to heal ... a time to be with Girlfriends

Hello from a mountain house in northern NC, near Asheville. Friends Allison & Lee invited us and another couple, Colleen and Steve, to spend this holiday weekend with them. Allison, Colleen and I met years ago when we walked a marathon together and now walk together almost every Saturday morning. They are girlfriends who I love 'doing life' with on our weekly catch up of health issues (read more), life, work, friends, etc.

This week, after losing our beloved Stella, it is medicinal to spend time away from life with girlfriends and their husbands. They are all dog owners/lovers so they understand the grief we're feeling. And, with Allison's two dogs here (one a golden retriever, like Stella), we're getting some much needed fur therapy.

Yes, there are still tears and sad memories but with people nearby who understand, we realize how blessed we are to have friends. And, with all of us dealing with different life challenges, we value creating new, happy memories together.

Thanks to Allison and Lee for their generous hospitality (and for letting me love on their dogs). And thanks to Colleen and Steve for driving us and for their support and understanding as we miss our sweet pup. With friends like these, and fun times shared together, we realize that this is a time to grieve but also to heal, to remember old times and celebrate new memories, to cry and, very much, to laugh.

Pet your furry friends. Take time away from work and life to spend with friends. Get away from 'stuff' and celebrate the wonderful blessing of friends.

Boating along with Ellen

My girlfriend Ellen (and her husband, Doug) have a boat and last night we joined them on the Ohio River. Threatening rain, we braved it and went out for an evening together.

As we sat in the back and let the boys drive and talk, we caught up on life. Her cute kids, our work challenges, upcoming travels, fashionable belts and painting our toenails - important stuff! Just things you share when you share life with someone - no matter how often or seldom you get to spend time together.

As we pulled into the dock at the end of the night, the rain started - perfect timing! We docked, covered up the boat and ran for our cars. It was a perfect evening. We had shared laughs, concerns, wishes, our lives. And our time together will be another memory that we'll share - together.

What can you do to create a memory for yourself and a friend? What event, fun plans, 'sharing opportunity' should you take advantage of? Go for it! Even in the rain, the great memories take place when you're together. Don't miss out on any of them - especially among girlfriends!