Isn't it funny how you meet and find girlfriends? Some of mine are from college or previous jobs, others are neighbors or friends from organizations (like my friend Vicki), some friends are friends of friends or just women that I found we have something in common. All of them leave imprints on our lives. And, all of us have the opportunity to inspire others and to help them on their journey to a happy life (as they also accompany us on this adventure!).
KRISTEN BEIREIS believes we need girlfriends to help us in so many areas of our lives. As a life, career and business coach, she helps her clients explore ways to 'love Mondays' and their lives. As a girlfriend, she supports her friends in the same process of identifying their dreams and encouraging them as they reach to achieve it.
Kristen spoke with us this week on our podcast (now semi-weekly!). Wise beyond her years and enthusiastic about life and her profession, friends and family, Kristen uses lessons learned in her life to help her clients and girlfriends live happy. A few lessons from Kristen:
* BE HAPPY - From her cheery voice and her contageous enthusiasm, you know Kristen is a nice person, a good girlfriend and a positive influence to all around her. Her coaching business, Amazing Steps, is about helping people be happy in their careers - which may mean changing careers or staying where they are and making it what they really want. She helps us find our passion and turn it into a career so we 'love Mondays' - and that's a happy thing!
* BE A FRIEND - As Kristen shares in this podcast, girlfriends often are our support systems that help us make transitions in our lives. So, girlfriends play a large role in our careers. Support from girlfriends is sometimes how we get the courage to admit that something isn't working. And, they're there for us to help us figure out the best solution - which is great since they know us so well and are acting on our behalf.
* BE CREATIVE IN MAKING AND MAINTAINING FRIENDSHIPS - Kristen is a social media maven and uses the internet to find, establish and grow her friendships. She embraces sites/networks like Twitter and Facebook* to find new friends who have common interests and even possibly work together in the future. Communication with internet friends is different than with face-to-face friends, Kristen explained, but it doesn't mean they are any less a girlfriend. Some of the friends she has made over the internet are the ones with whom she shares more openly.
I met Kristen online and am happy to have found her! Be open to meeting new girlfriends. Explore new friendships and make contacts online or even in-line at your local grocery store! Just connect with other women - you never know when you'll make a great new girlfriend!
Check out Kristen on AmazingSteps.com and VirtualHelper4u. And, listen in to Kristen on our latest semi-weeklyGirlfriendology podcast. Thanks Kristen!
Tune in Wednesday for our podcast interview with Kaira Sturdivant Rouda, President of Real Living real estate company and author of Real You Incorporated: 8 Essentials for Women Entrepreneurs. (And, enter the contest for a chance to win a copy of her great book!!)
* Check out the Girlfriendology Facebook group to meet some great girlfriends too!
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Lessons from a Girlfriend - Podcast with KRISTEN BEIREIS
Helping a girlfriend through a transition - Chocolate helps!
My thoughtful girlfriend Jennifer (from my entrepreneurial group in blog below), gave me this wonderful orange daisy chocolate to celebrate my leaving a job and moving forward toward my dreams. (Recognize the flower in the Girlfriendology logo?!) She wasn't the only girlfriend who marked this change in my career and life with a gift or card. My friend Katie (who is so dang thoughtful!) gave me a bottle of wine, some girlfriend gifts, cards and a note that was so sweet - I'll save it forever. My girlfriends Carole, Becky, Barb, Dana and Cath all shared meals with me last week (and bought - you kind, generous girlfriends!).
Even on her girlfriend weekend, my sweet girlfriend Ellen called from FL to ask how my last day was. Numerous emails and calls came from girlfriends near and far to mark this new chapter of my life. Each one showed their support and love - which I do not know what I would do without!
Thanks to all of you! Thanks for your friendship, love and support. And, thanks for being the inspiration for Girlfriendology. We can make the world a better place - one friendship at a time. THANKS GIRLFRIENDS!
