Starting Your Own Mastermind

Guest Contributor: Janet Napora
Janet's Posts - Janet's Blog


Starting your own Mastermind can be simple...if you know what your goal is. A Mastermind group doesn't have to be a complicated task. You have to know what the questions are before you can answer them.

• What do I want to accomplish?
• Who do I want in my group?
• Do I want to charge a fee?
• What will the schedule be?

Knowing what you want to accomplish is very important. Be specific about your goal for the group. You need to have a plan as to how you're going to reach your goal. It doesn't have to be complicated. It could be as simple as picking a topic to discuss. You are the leader of the group as far as the structure is concerned. You are not the boss however. You are there to guide your group, to help them work towards their goals.

The members of your group will set the tone for your meetings. The process by which you invite new members is up to you. You set the guidelines. Flexibility is also important. You never know how a person will conduct themselves. If you feel a member is not contributing in a way that is helpful to the entire group don't be afraid of asking them to leave the group. There are also people who will surprise you as time goes by. The person who you thought may not be right for the group could turn out to a valuable asset. Be patient, look beyond the person's obvious behavior. What you find may surprise you.

Charging a fee is a personal choice. You may just want to cover expenses or build a fund for future events. Building a fund is also a good way to provide tools for your group. It could be a personal development book to help your group between meetings or a practical guide to help your group reach specific business goals. The amount of the fee is also a personal choice. The amount of the fee will have an impact on the accessibility of the group for some people.

The schedule for the group at first will be something you need to decide as well as where it will be. Whatever you decide it doesn't have to be written in stone. Remember flexibility is important. As your Mastermind grows you need to do what's best for the group. Although every member is important you won't be able to accommodate everyone. That's where you come in as a leader and make the final decision.

Starting and maintaining a Mastermind group does require dedication. Don't start one if you're not willing or able to follow through. Understand what is involved and that people will be counting on you for guidance. Every member contributes to the group but you as the leader are the glue that holds everything together.