I’d like to toggle back to Week 1 for a moment and get in touch with one of the words that is key to the definition of thriving: grow.

When we grow, we allow, expand, gain. We change so as to fit the new story that we’re creating for ourselves, to become gradually more evident of our ideal vision.

During the growth process, you may find your friendships and role models are shifting. It can be uncomfortable because friends like us for who we are, not always for who we want to be.

Go with it.

The life you were meant to live is the one you choose, not the one that well-meaning people would choose for you.

As I’ve said before, I’m interested in partnership more and more these days but in the past I’ve attracted men who were worried about the passion I have for my work.  I always found that confusing because the work I’m called to do is between me and (I’m about to get a little woo woo) my source.  In earlier days I was willing to let my passions go, later on it was “him” I pushed aside.  These days though, I’m of the belief that I can live equally and passionately enjoying both.

Needles to say the women I find myself drawn to are the ones who seem to be mastering their work and life balance,  and whose husbands are supportive of their partners’ adventurous spirits, of what they do.  They’re men who place equal value on each other’s purpose.  These women confirm for me that life can be lived in a certain way, that women can have it all.  Here’s what they’re teaching me:

The branding guru told me that the only difference between the woman she is now and the woman she was before she was a mom, is that her capacity to love has increased.  She has always made it a priority to love and take care of herself.  Her business is thriving because she knows what she’s meant to do.   She travels to speak internationally, has moved her family to different countries, and her husband, who has an equally successful career, is up for the adventures they create together.

The general manager of a leading theatre company with a multimillion dollar budget told me that nobody is going to die if you don’t do it yourself. That means if you’re at home with your family for the night and there is an emergency at the theatre, you’ve got to trust that the team you’ve hired is going to take care of it. She got this piece of advice from a brain surgeon friend, who actually DOES save lives, so if the brain surgeon says relax, relax.

The orthopedic surgeon and former shoe maven who sold her multimillion dollar company said, “Get Help.” Don’t think you need to do everything by yourself.  It’s exhausting and your business will grow a lot faster and more smoothly if you have people to help you.  For her latest venture, she’s surrounded herself with a kick-butt team.

What about you? Are your friendships shifting? What are you new role models teaching you?