Minding the "In Between"

Guest Contributor: Doug Emerson
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My mastermind group meets every Friday by telephone. The discussion is focused and we get much done in our hour long scheduled meetings. In between the intensity, there are moments of laughter, a little gossip and some conversation of questionable relevance.

Although the chit-chat is not strategic, the in between chatter is relaxing and serves as a tension reliever and warm up for any heavy discussion that follows.

The in between concept also carries through the week. As our members think about what has been said at the past sessions, new ideas and revisions of old ideas are passed around during the week in short e-mails. Announcements, breakthroughs and breakdowns are also relayed via e-mail.

The "in betweens" are what makes a mastermind group more successful since they provide continuity between scheduled meetings. In my area of specialization, the horse industry, horse trainers know the value of steady reinforcement "in between" training sessions. Whenever a horse is handled, brushed or blanketed, the ground manners training work previously done by the trainer is constantly practiced. It's all about reinforcement isn't it?

Make sure your mastermind group tends to the "in betweens" for the best results for you and your group.