Seriously, a Mastermind in Aruba?? The Last Indie Cruise.

 

For the past ten years, I’ve wanted to go on the Indie Cruise. I belong to an organization called the Indie Business Network. Every year for the past ten years, Donna Maria has put together a Mastermind in an exotic location.  The first few Indie Cruises were actually cruises, and the last few were on land.  Since my day job was in a school system, I didn’t have the luxury of taking time off whenever I wanted.  And besides, this trip was usually the week before or during mid-terms. I’d never get the special permission I needed to go.

This year was different. I had retired in 2019, and my part time job at Farmingdale College was between semesters. This was my year for the Indie Cruise! Yes, I was excited about flying to Aruba, but I was truly more excited to be with thirty plus entrepreneurs, most I knew only online, and collaborate with them in person.

Since the location of this Indie Cruise was Aruba, I arrived a day early to get settled and enjoy myself.  (Wouldn’t you?)  We stayed at the Riu Palace. My room was on the eighth floor and overlooked the pool and beach. There was even a balcony, not that I spent any time there. I was too busy outside.

Even on those days that were slated for fun, we talked and brainstormed.

Some of the things I learned

Most of the things I learned were things I already knew, but having it reinforced by others was invaluable.

I’m not alone in my imposter syndrome, it’s real and I need to ignore it.  Thank you Sandy.

No woman likes to have her picture taken. Practice posing in front of a mirror. Find your good side. Don’t look directly into the camera.  Thank you Jen.

If you want to learn how to do something, use YouTube. I now have a list of videos I need to watch today.  Again, thanks Jen.

Pamper yourself on a regular basis.  Move on a regular basis. Do squats when you brush your teeth.  Thank you Maria.

Use my personality when I write. Thanks Christine.

Choose a goal. Set a date to have it done. Break it up into smaller chunks and do a little each week. Find a group to be accountable to.  Thanks Donna Maria.

 

Even thought I missed my husband, I’m grateful I chose to go by myself. The planned masterminding workshops were informative, but the best conversations happened by the pool, beach, bar, hotel lobby, in someone’s room or anytime a few of us were together. I learned to trust myself. To be open to new relationships.  To deepen the ones I have now.  I needed to be alone to experience that.  And I’m grateful I have a husband who knew that and said no when I asked him to come.

What are you grateful for this week?

 

Yours in Gratitude,

Angela