04/11/2022
Why you need a PCM in your life
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Assalamu alaikum Ibraheem,
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: โA man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he makes his friend.โ (Sunan Abi Dawud).
Alhamdulillah, this week I celebrated 5 years of a special mastermind suhba with Peter Gould and Chris Blauvelt, founders of GouldStudio and LaunchGood, respectively. We call our mastermind group โPCMโ (for Peter Chris Mohammed - I know, very innovative! lol).
During our quarterly review this week, we reflected on how this suhba has been critical for our personal and professional growth over the last few years. We've become sounding boards for each other for advice, from what to wear to an event to tackling a major personal/business crisis.
More importantly, we've set up the structures that keep the relationship alive and growing strong instead of fizzling out as life gets busy.
Because we've benefitted so much from our PCM group, we want to share how you can have your PCM too! (or what Chris calls your "Personal Circle of Mentorship").
Here's how to create your PCM:
Step 1:
Find two or three persons you align with in character, intelligence, and values. And are in a similar stage of life (e.g., you might all be business owners with a young family, or mid-career professionals with teenage children, or homemakers of similar age kids, etc.).
Step 2:
Set up a WhatsApp group for just the 3-4 of you to share updates on life, struggles/wins, and a safe space to ask for advice.
The group is not meant to be a distraction - but an outlet. Itโs where you can rant about something thatโs bothering you or share a moment youโre grateful for (without having to blast it on social media and attract the envy of people).
Step 3:
Book 2-3 hours once a quarter and give each person 45-60 minutes to share where they are spiritually, physically, socially, work, etc. We call this "macro-journaling," and it's a great way to pause and see where you are in life and where you'd like to go. End the call with a dua youโd like to make for each other during the upcoming quarter.
Step 4:
Make a sincere effort to meet in person at least once a year for even a day or two and spend those two days doing more deep-dive reflections of where you are and where youโd like to go in life. Even better, make it a point to visit scholars together or go for an experience that makes the meetup even more memorable (e.g., camping or hiking).
I understand that making friends as an adult can be hard, and you might have to go through a couple "PCMs" before you find the one group that really sticks and truly helps you move forward in life.
However, finding that group is worth it, and when you find such suhba - stick to it, make an effort to nurture it, give selflessly to it, and you'll see the Barakah of such friendship in your life and afterlife insha'Allah.
I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Mohammed Faris (on behalf of the PCM crew!)
