My husband's niece, Molly, recently graduated from high school and asked us if we would share some advice as she embarks on her future. After composing my thoughts for her, I realized they are appropriate for Working Solo Minute readers as well -- even though most of us are long past high school. Here, then, is my best piece of advice:

Choose your friends wisely. They will determine your future.

The five closest people to you (other than your family) will have a very strong impact on your life. In fact, they will determine to a great extent what you become.

Good friends will challenge you to think bigger, work harder, and do things you never thought you could.

They will help you clarify your dreams, then offer encouragement and support for you to go after them.

They will inspire you to persist, and will hold you accountable to your goals.

They will help you think through decisions, recover from mistakes, and guide you in sorting out complex (or simple) problems.

They will keep you honest, so you can't wiggle out of commitments -- to others and yourself.

They will challenge you and your ideas, and help you see other viewpoints that will expand your thinking.

Don't be afraid to choose friends who are smarter than you. It's never really that much fun being the smartest one around, because there's so much more to learn from others.

Most of all, choose friends who are curious about the world and who are optimistic -- individuals who see the world as a pretty great place, and one that's filled with opportunities.

If you find five friends like this, hold them dear. Those closest to you will have a profound impact on your life -- at every single stage.

Now, soloists, I know it can be more difficult to make friends as we grow older. But it's never too late to make new friends -- or to change that inner circle of five. Particularly in a solo business, those five colleagues truly make a difference.

-- Terri Lonier
Founder, WorkingSolo.com

P.S. Join me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/TerriLonier as I share brief updates on Working Solo news, deals, and resources that are time-sensitive.

Working Solo Minute is published each Wednesday by Working Solo, Inc. and is based on the work of author and small business expert Terri Lonier. Copyright 1994-2009. All rights reserved.
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