We all need to build a personal team of professionals and champions. When the time comes, and you can bet that it will, you have got to have a good lawyer, accountant, doctor, and a guy-who-can-fix-stuff-around-the-house at your disposal. And of course, a BFF has to be part of that team too.

In fact, whenever a friend tells me they’re about to leave their spouse, the first question I ask is whether they’ve got their team in place.  This might be when you need them most.  But it’s also part of growing up or setting down roots in a new city.  All I know is, one day many years ago, I heard myself utter “my lawyer” during a conversation and I felt like I’d arrived. (And I don’t even think it was in the context of, “you’ll be hearing from…”)

Of course this is not a complete list, and which professionals make up the remainder of yours will differ from mine.  I don’t need a nanny, and you might not need a dog walker.

There are times in life when you’ll need people to stand up for you, protect you, and look out for your best interests.  When going through something awful like a divorce or illness, they will help keep you sane, insulated, and remind you that people care (even if they’re paid to).  When my father was diagnosed with brain cancer, the physician advised my family to find a doctor to be our “quarterback”.  That is, to keep an eye on the overall picture and keep us moving through the process.  It was excellent advice.

You need your team when you’ve got any sort of challenge that you can’t handle on your own. Like a dog that won’t stop barking.  Or sore knees, or roses that just won’t bloom.  

And it doesn’t always have to be about problem solving.  At some point I added butcher to my list.  Seeing as how I love to cook, I get a lot out of my butcher visits.  Mine can talk my ear off about whatever it is I’m shopping for, not to mention give excellent cooking tips.  More butchers should write cookbooks.  Today at the shop I learned they don’t call them “baby” back ribs any more because eating baby anything is bad marketing.  And when you’re a loyal customer to anyone, they eventually give you stuff for free.

And whatever you do, don’t forget your team members during the holidays.  That stuff goes further then you think.  It’s all about who you know.  And this is one list you should never shop building, vetting, and massaging.

I’m currently in the market for a reflexologist.  Any recommendations for the Vancouver area please send them my way!