Margery's Note....
It seems trite to say “Happy New Year” but maybe not a bad idea to go into it wishing for happiness….
And for those of us who ended 2024 with a bitter taste about politics, etc., I thought of the question, how to begin again?
I’ve had a lot of time to think since that disappointing day in November….
And I’ve realized once again that when external change doesn’t seem possible, the place to change is within myself!
As I was cleaning out an old file cabinet I remembered one of my favorite exercises. I shared it last year suggesting you ask 3 friends to give you honest feedback about what you should stop doing, start doing and keep on doing.
This time, I have decided to ask myself the questions, tapping into my 3 personas: little Margie, adult Margery and future Margery.
Little Margie (please don’t call me that, it brings back unpleasant memories from my childhood) was very clear about what she wants me to do:
Stop Doing:
being so serious!
taking better care of other people than myself
worrying about being overweight
Start Doing:
having more fun
going out to play more
do something fun like drawing or painting
Keep On Doing:
staying connected to dear friends and family
watching shows that make me laugh
singing and dancing when the music plays!
Adult Margery was a little less clear, since I’m in such a different phase of life than I was a few years ago, so here goes:
Stop Doing:
worrying about being overweight
fretting over what I could have done differently
feeling guilty about not going out in the world networking to build back GGN membership
Start Doing:
sign up for a water color class at the Senior Center
read more books this year
be better at living by the idea that whatever IS is RIGHT
Keep On Doing:
making time for friends and family
sticking with my new carnivore diet that helps me feel really good
exercising regularly
Future Margery had some helpful thoughts:
Stop Doing:
worrying that this might be the last year of GGN
counting things I regret
flashing back on old conversations that I can’t change
Start Doing:
paying more attention to the beauty and grace all around me
going out more now that I’m feeling better
getting better at calling friends when I’m thinking of them
Keep On Doing:
listening to my body
getting ready for bed by 10 pm every night
enjoying that I am alive and well
I actually had fun doing this little exercise! Admittedly I started this year off a little down. I’m concerned about the shrinking numbers of GGN Members, but am not in a position to go out to do the networking to change it. I’m realizing that I have to go with the flow here. And let what happens happen.
I have set up Track meetings for January and I hope some of you choose to come. If not, I will rethink the way we are doing things.
And if you have any ideas to share with me about that subject, I’m all ears!!!
I hope you choose YOUR new beginning and have fun with it!!!
Member Notes
GGN Member Glenna Hecht shares
Two new blog posts to inspire us!
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Why Goals Work (or don’t)
As the new year approaches, it’s time to set those goals—those bold, shiny, ambitious targets we love to dream up every December. But let’s be honest: some goals are game-changers, others fizzle out by February, and a few are so bad they should’ve stayed in the “ideas we’ll never mention again” file.
Why do some goals propel teams forward while others derail progress? Let’s dig into the good of goals that work, the bad of goals that flop, and the ugly of goals that can create more harm than good. And, because we’re all about moving forward, we’ll wrap up with practical tips to set yourself and your team up for success.
The Good: Why Goals Work
When goals are done right, they’re your secret weapon for clarity, focus, and achievement.
They Provide Clarity: A clear goal is like a well-marked trail—everyone knows where to go and how to get there.
They Motivate Action: A specific target, like “increase revenue by 15%,” gets people moving more than vague instructions like “try harder.”
They Foster Accountability: Goals create ownership. Everyone knows who’s responsible for what, so nothing falls into the abyss of “not my job.”
They Build Momentum: A win energizes the team for the next challenge. Success is contagious (and far more fun than failure).
Read more….
And a second one:
Guides and Coaches: Leadership Lessons from the Wild
Leadership lessons can come from the most unexpected places—like the African savanna. On a recent safari through Kenya and Tanzania, I spent time with two incredible guides, Maturi and Joseph. These guys weren’t just about spotting lions and dodging potholes the size of small lakes—they embodied leadership.
Whether navigating washed-out roads or explaining the intricacies of animal behavior, they led with expertise, adaptability, and humor. Watching them reminded me of what it takes to be a great leader: mastery of your craft, flexibility in the face of uncertainty, clear communication, genuine care for others, and the humility to keep learning.
Guides like these show us that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about knowing how to guide people through the unknown and make the journey worthwhile.
Expertise: Building Trust and Confidence
The best guides don’t just know their terrain—they own it. They can spot a camouflaged lion or navigate a mud pit with the ease of a seasoned pro. That level of expertise instantly builds trust, even when the road ahead looks questionable.
Leadership Insight: Expertise builds trust. Just as guides earn respect through deep knowledge, leaders gain credibility by understanding their industries. Whether it’s market trends or customer insights, your expertise reassures your team that you’ve got a handle on things. Mastery of your craft isn’t about perfection—it’s about earning the confidence of those you lead.
Read more….
GGN Member Jane Baldwin asks:
What if the first step to balance wasn’t about doing more—but about pausing to connect?
This week, I’d love for you to join me for Sip & Center, a four-week series where we’ll explore balance, connection, and clarity together.
You’ll gain tools to:
- Identify and release tension when it arises.
- Clarify what truly matters to you.
- Feel less reactive and more grounded in your daily life.
This is a conversation where your voice matters.
JANUARY 8TH
6:30 pm CT
ONLINE
Here’s the real magic
This isn’t just a solo journey.
Together, we’ll tap into the collective wisdom of the group to share strategies, reflect on what works, and discover new ways to create balance on our own terms.
This is for you if you’re ready to:
Start 2025 with a clear sense of direction.
Feel supported by a community of like-minded individuals.
Walk away with a plan to cultivate balance that lasts.
Let’s sip, center, and create something beautiful together.
Reserve your spot now at the link below
This isn’t about receiving advice—it’s about listening to each other, sharing experiences, and discovering insights through the collective wisdom of the group.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Feel less reactive and more grounded.
- Explore new approaches to life’s challenges.
- Be part of a supportive space that values shared growth.
- Take steps toward living with more clarity, ease and intention.
I’ll guide you with prompts to spark curiosity and mindfulness techniques to deepen your focus. But the true magic happens when we come together to reflect, share, and support one another.
Here’s to stepping into the new year with calm, confidence, and connection!
Thank you to Toni Portmann for sharing this inspiring message….
Don’t leave anything for later.
Later, the coffee gets cold.
Later, you lose interest.
Later, the day turns into night.
Later, people grow up.
Later, people grow old.
Later, life goes by.
Later, you regret not doing something…
When you had the chance.
Life is a fleeting dance, a delicate balance of moments that unfold before us, never to return in quite the same way again.
Regret is a bitter pill to swallow, a weight that bears down upon the soul with the burden of missed chances and unspoken words.
So, let us not leave anything for later. Let us seize the moments as they come, with hearts open and arms outstretched to embrace the possibilities that lie before us. For in the end, it is not the things we did that we regret, but the things we left undone, the words left unspoken, the dreams left unfulfilled.
— Toshikazu Kwaguchi, Before theCoffee Gets Cold (2015)
Track Meetings
We still ask for $5 to cover costs. And yes, you can register at the last minute…. but it would be GREAT if you let us know a couple of days before so we can plan our refreshments!!!
Our Track meetings are designed to give us a sacred space to have meaningful, purposeful conversations without fear of being judged or competed with. Only Members can attend. They are amazing experiences, unlike any ‘networking meeting’ you have ever attended!
GGN members MUST REGISTER to attend these meetings, so just follow the links below! And if you want to learn about us, go ahead and join GGN~~if you decide it isn’t for you, we will refund your membership fee!
Currently we meet the 2nd Monday morning and 3rd Wednesday evening of each month (see below).
Each one is an event or happening in itself. Some members come frequently, some come only once in a while. Whenever you attend one, you will find out things you didn’t know, connect with women who will challenge and inspire you, and you will leave with some new perspectives.
Monday Morning Magic Track
- January 13, 2025
- 10 am to noon
- A great way to start the year: spending time with brilliant women!!!! Join us!!!
Click here to join us for Monday Morning Magic!
Growth & Transitions
- Wednesday, January 22, 2025
- 7 to 9 pm
- Changes happening? Things to talk about? We’re here for you!!!
Become a Member!
Great Girls Network is our way of being the opposite of the Good Ol’ Boys Network (which is still very much alive and well!). Even if you don’t participate in Track meetings, your membership gives you a way to support our existence and be a part of a growing group of women who really appreciate each other. And the Trii-Annual Gatherings are unlike any other “networking” event! We know women don’t network like men. We want to build relationships, we want deeper, more meaningful connections. That is exactly what GGN provides.
Our membership fee of $50 per year gives you access to our Track Meetings and also contributions to our Newsletter. The fee helps sustain our website, but it also ensures that when you participate in a Track meeting, you will honor the sacredness of the conversations because you are a member.
We created a digital card that helps people understand what they can get from joining GGN so click here to see the card.
Your membership helps give us that foundation, the strength to grow and have an impact on the lives of so many more women.
