When it comes to achieving success, whether personal or professional, commitment is one of the top must-have factors. In order to have a successful mastermind group that truly supports each member's vision and goals, I'm sure you'd agree that having each member's full commitment to the mastermind group and to the group process is critical.
It sounds simple and totally logical, right? Why wouldn't you be committed to your own mastermind group? In reality, however, I've found that not everyone is on the same page about this one.
For example, one of the mastermind groups I belong to recently had a heated discussion on the issue of commitment, and we almost decided to break up the group as a result.
We've had this group for about two years and it was going strong. All of the members are entrepreneurs & service professionals, and we meet once a month in person. We are committed to honing our professional skills, always have a lot of great ideas and cheer each other on as we all make progress in our businesses. It was going very well, until recently.
Some of the members started to miss quite a few meetings, due to other activities and commitments. Others started to question whether they are committed to our mastermind group and see it as a priority. Overall, we were unhappy that some members kept missing our meetings, and it's a sign of lack of commitment and respect. Of course, sometimes people have to miss a meeting because of emergencies, or important business commitments that they cannot re-arrange. That's totally understandable. But when you knew the meeting time ahead of time, and repeatedly choose to attend other activities instead, that does raise the question about commitment. It finally got to the point where we had to sit down and put this on agenda, so we could all voice our opinions. We were seriously considering "un-inviting" some members, or breaking up the group into two groups in order to accommodate everyone's schedule better, and/or opening up our closed group to new members. On the other hand, we do love our mastermind group and everyone in it, and everyone prefers to keep our group intact, if at all possible.
So, after some lengthy discussions and flushing out a lot of emotions and ideas, we finally decided to keep the group together as is. We are in this together, and we are willing to work at it. Everyone asserted their commitment to the group, and we moved on to discuss possible new directions and project ideas for our mastermind group. We've got a new lease of life for our mastermind group, and new level of appreciation, commitment and respect.
If you are starting a mastermind group, it's important to have everyone agree on the level of commitment that's expected. If you're experiencing a similar challenge in your current mastermind group, or any professional group, you might want to address the issue promptly, before it erodes the morale of the entire group and causes bigger problems down the road. Since everyone and every group naturally grow and evolve over time, it's also a good idea to review the ground rules from time to time, and see if you need to make any revisions to better suit your group's needs.
One of the things I keep learning from the Mastermind groups I'm in is waiting for my turn. I keep bumping into my own ego - I keep wanting everyone to be there for me - for me to tell them what they should do and for everyone concentrating on supporting what I want. Particularly those times when I'm either bubbling up with ideas or doubling over with problems
I'd like to think that's only my past showing up. I have overcome that (hah!) But I haven't. And it keeps teaching me the most important part of the Mastermind. I have to listen. And no matter how well I think I listen, there's still more to it.
I'm a coach and the most valuable thing I bring to any coaching session is the way I listen. Clients get much more from my listening than they do from anything I say.
The most valuable Mastermind listening happens when someone other than me is offering coaching to someone else. Even when I know that I'm not particularly interested in that person's problem. Because I've discovered that I'm very interested in that person. But besides that, no one ever speaks only to that person and only about their issue. They are always speaking to me about my issue; I just have to listen.
So my foolish impatience keeps my attention in the wrong place. When I'm only interested in me, I am not paying attention to what is very likely my most valuable input.
My Business Development mentor, who also facilitates my Master Mind group, reminded me recently that our Thursday morning meetings are just the place to come to try out new ideas and strategies. Here is a group of people whose sole purpose is to listen and support me in reaching my goals. This includes offering up that good old fashioned constructive criticism.
An exercise I encourage my clients to do as they're contemplating a career transition is to ask others for their insight on what they see as my client's strengths and challenges. In other words, mustering up the courage to ask Best Friend Joe, Cousin Gloria, and Colleague Bill what they see in them that they don't, can't or won't for themselves. While their responses will be well-intended and helpful, they may not be as open and honest as my client really needs. Usually, the closer the relationship, the more the response will be filtered so as not to hurt feelings or damage relationships. This is, though, a safe way to see new glimpses into themselves they may have overlooked or discounted.
So, where can a brave soul, especially we "solopreneurs" go to get that valuable, objective feedback that may not necessarily be easy on the ears? A Master Mind group of course!! This is the perfect place to go out on a limb and ask for feedback, knowing you will get exactly what you need to move ahead in spite of the fact it may be contrary to your own opinions. I did this recently with a product idea and came away with wonderful feedback, as well as constructive criticism on ways to make it even better. The end result was a much more substantial, easy-to-read, catchy-titled product that came from my efforts and from the trusted advice of my Master Mind group members. So, get out there - ask that tough question you've been holding back on and get ready for some of the best objective advice you can get. Happy Master Minding!
Many MasterMind groups are composed of people in the same industry: speakers, authors, real estate brokers,insurance agents, coaches, you name it. These MasterMind Groups are generally formed out of a large industry-specific gathering, (such as a convention). Sometimes they spring up from big organizations because someone with leadership qualities decides they want a small group for accountability, brainstorming, and support. Sometimes people organically get together and create their own group. Sometimes the large organization structures, oversees and/or sponsors the group. This certainly follows the "singleness of purpose" concept written in Napoleon Hill's books. I have facilitated a number of these groups and the results can be phenomenal. When all the members have a deep understanding of the industry, the sharing of ideas can be at a very deep level, and accountability can be intense. I have seen amazing breakthroughs in this kind of group.
On the other hand, a group with a variety of expertise from different industries, can be one of the most exciting groups you will ever experience.
I currently facilitate a group of 12 members, all in different businesses, all with different goals and needs. It meets twice a month on the telephone. It might as well be called the Diversity MasterMind group. The youngest member is 23 and the eldest is 60-something. The group consists of people in banking, show business, politics, real estate, sustainability consulting, physical training, professional speaking, graphic design, sportscasting, music, international development, entrepreneurial investments, you name it. This group is one of the top two best MasterMind groups I have ever been affiliated with over the years. What makes it work is the variety of ideas and thought patterns, and the potpourri of industry experience. There is no getting "stuck" with "what used to work" in this group! It is all about "Have you ever thought of........." and "In our industry we sometimes.........maybe a variation on that would be an idea". This group goes wide with ideas and has no limits.
When you are choosing a group, think about whether you would rather have:
Industry-specific: narrower and deeper. Or: Varied industries: wider with no limits.
Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone were not in the same businesses, yet they contributed to each other, and supported each other, thereby going down in history as the greatest men in their field.
There is no rule about which type of group you should be in. It is your choice. Maybe you will choose one of each! The main thing to remember is to be able to contribute and to be willing to receive. Above all, harmony is the nucleus, as Dr. Hill states in "Magic Ladder to Success"
Starting a mastermind can seem like a daunting task. For some people it's just a natural progression to help them get from where they are to where they're going. You may think only people who are already successful, outgoing and self confident can start a mastermind.
Here's some news that may surprise you. You are what you think. If you feel you're not smart enough or confident enough or that you don't have anything to contribute that's what people will see.
I know successful people who are shy, not big conversationalists but they can get up in front of hundreds of people to give a speech or seminar and look totally comfortable. I'm often amazed to hear this about them because I'd never think they were like that.
Don't let your own thinking get in your way. Don't let your fear stop you from moving forward. Sometimes you fall on your face. The important thing isn't that you fell but how long it takes to get back up.
When you're looking for people to join your new mastermind, you're looking for like-minded people. People who have goals like you. They may not be as self assured as you think but they're still willing to take action even in the face of failure.
We all have different strengths and weaknesses. You want a group of people that compliment each other. That can learn from each other and support each other through successes and through challenges. You need to know who you're looking for so that you attract the right people.
The only failed mastermind is the one that never gets started. I'm not saying it'll be easy or that it'll happen quickly but it will happen. Be clear about the purpose of your mastermind. The type of people you want to attract. Take action and keep going until you reach your goal. Your mastermind may only be two or three people and that's okay. It's not about how many people are in your group but the quality of people and results. So get going!
My mastermind group has been in a process of change recently.
One member had simply drifted away and couldn't be contacted and the remaining male was uncomfortable both with what he felt he could bring to the group and about being the only male. This group has been going for about a year now and in many ways feels like its still working at finding itself. So I've been keen to look at how long does it takes for a mastermind group to feel established (how long is a piece of string?) and what elements determine the strength and success of the group.
What's needed for the success of this group?
Similar interests? - Well we are a 'money mastermind group' and while our focus was financial we were mostly on very different paths. It feels like it shouldn't matter as long as we could ask the right questions of each other, support, challenge, encourage and hold each other accountable for what we said we would do. Yet it's a bit of a divide when for example a solicitor and an engineer are trying to understand each other's world.
Similar levels of success? - That clearly is not the case for us as there are many different levels of financial aspirations and success amongst us. What is clear and understood by us however is that financial success is nothing without other aspects of our personal development being in alignment. And that is something of a level playing field.
A shared desire to achieve success? Its extraordinary how capable we are of saying one thing and meaning another! I mean, some of us may intend success at one level but find that we sabotage clearly our efforts. Its as though we are saying to the universe 'Yes I want success' while at the same time negating it in our thoughts and by our actions.
Fear of success can be an disempowering as fear of failure. And of course it sends out mixed messages to the universe. So I'd say a real desire to grow and to strive for your goals was fairly important then to the results people get from the mastermind group.
Awareness of others? Are members willing to really listen to others, make space for them, truely desire to put self aside for a while and go with the experiences that others bring? One member of our group struggled with not being able to bring in personal stories that detracted from the work and time belonging to another member of the group. Its a fine line from being supportive and sharing your expertise in a way that empowers the other person.
Well where that leaves us is that we are now looking for one or two new members to join this group. And what's going to work are people who able to support others, share their experience, talents and skills, have a vision of what they want to achieve and a willingness to strive for it, who will accept support and challenging from others in order to really fan the flames of their own success and who accept the general masterminding principles. It could work beautifully.
As our Master Mind met yesterday, I was reminded of how small the world is and how nice it is when the ends meet. About 18 months ago, I listened to a speaker in my Toastmasters group talk about the book, Think and Grow Rich. That was my introduction to Napoleon Hill.
Intrigued after hearing the book report (the object of the speech was to use visuals and the speaker held up the book for us), I read Think and Grow Rich and became acquainted with the concept of a Master Mind group.
At that point I had decided to write full-time and thought a Master Mind group would be a good avenue to pursue the goals set forth in the book. I met two women in a writing support group who were also interested in strengthening their career goals.
Since that time, we've met together monthly and each of us has progressed to our satisfaction. My first children's book, a bio of a country music star, comes out this month.
My two Master Mind friends have released products within the past year and are pleased with renewed focus in other aspects of their careers.
It was a pleasure, then, several weeks ago to run into the man who had originally given the book report in my Toastmasters group on Think and Grow Rich. He, an attorney, was speaking to a local seniors' group on wills and estates.
When it appeared he had a few free minutes, I approached him, re-introduced myself since it had been over a year that we had met (he had had to drop out of Toastmasters due to family situation), and told him what an impact his speech had made on my life. I told him it changed my career by introducing me to Napoleon Hill and the concept of Master Mind groups. I thanked him for his speech that night and wished him good luck on his career.
Then it occurred to me that I might interview him for a column I write for our local newspaper. He agreed and the story will be published soon.
His sharing with our Toastmasters group on his discovery of Napoleon Hill resulted in his profile in a local publication.
A couple of clichés come to mind. What goes around comes around. One good turn deserves another.
No matter how you say it, Master Mind groups are a great way to meet people and further your career.
What connective element has your Master Mind group brought to your life? Have you thanked the person(s) that have influenced you through your Master Mind group? Make an effort to do that. You might be surprised at the results.
The concept of a Mastermind Group was introduced to the world in a formal manner by Napolean Hill, the author of "Think and Grow Rich" in the 1900's. Of course, informally, the concept had other names "Good Ol' Boys Network", "Bible Study Groups," "YWCA," You see, the concept is really about getting like minded people together to work towards their goals collectively. It doesn't have to be about business - it can be about working out, hobbies or stamp collecting - just so long as everyone in it has a like minded interest in pursuing certain set goals. Napolean Hill defined the Mastermind Principle as, "The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony. No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind." That sounds a whole lot like the biblical passage, "Where two or more are gathered, there am I." Even the ancient Christians understood the power of groups that were focused together on the same thing.
Masterminding is the what happens when two or more individuals get together in the spirit of cooperative harmony to accomplish some goal, activity or result. All the great leaders in the history of the world have used this concept: Jesus had his disciples, Andrew Carnegie had his team to help build the world's largest steel company, Bill Gates has Steve Ballmer and Paul Allen. Who do you have? What support network have you set up to help you meet the goals you've set out for yourself?
The coauthor of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Mark Victor Hansen, said: "One plus one, doesn't equal two. It becomes the power of eleven." Something magic happens when two or more people combine their single dream to form a dream team.
The benefits of a Mastermind Group are many. For me, just having a group of people who all own businesses and have similar issues is gratifying. Realizing that there are others out there like me gives me a sense of shared endeavor. But, a Mastermind Group goes much deeper than all of that. You'll get experience and skills by listening to others with slightly different areas of expertise. You will make real, measurable progress in your business and personal life. You'll develop a close repertoire with your new support network. And, if you're thinking of starting a small side business, you'll save yourself a lot of money by bouncing your ideas off this group of people. You'll have a great celebration when you reach milestones; after all, you have your own built in cheerleading squad. And, back to those goals that you made two years ago with Lynn or last year after Jody's speech? You dramatically increase your chances of reaching your goals, as a group of people will assist you brainstorming solutions and action steps. By sharing your goals and results AND getting inspired by the progress made by others in your group, you are motivated by accountability.
So, how do YOU start your own personal dream team?
First, look around you? Have you surrounded yourself by people who inspire you? Individuals who lead lives of distinction? My goal with my three Mastermind Business Groups (yes, I said THREE. I have three Mastermind Business Groups. Two in Seattle and One in Bellingham, Washington). It's not because I'm a big loser and I need tons and tons of help. It's because having a deep well of experience and support to draw from is a key to my success. Thirty year old's don't have multi million dollar, debt free, international, consistently, 10 years and running, profitable businesses. Mine didn't happen by accident. I'm really not all that special or fantastic. I 100% believe that without my Mastermind Groups dragging me, driving me and pushing me to new levels of success that I wouldn't be where I am today. I surround myself with people who are better than me. They're smarter than me. They're more well read. They run bigger businesses. I try and suck up everything they tell like me like a water starved plant.
Starting your Mastermind Group means first, determining a purpose and looking around and seeing if there's anyone in your current circles with a shared common interest to you. It doesn't have to be to rule the world, or to start the next Mrs. Field's Cookies - you can have a Mastermind Group around working out, around cooking healthy, about beating diabetes, about Bible Study - all of mine happen to be business related but yours don't have to be.
Once you have your purpose, the next step is to identify people who would be complementary in your Mastermind Group. If you're starting a group to work on exercise goals, having similar skill levels would be a good idea. After all, if there's 6 tubby, out of shape people and 1 ultra marathoner, either the six people are going drop out because they're so dejected about the entire thing or the 1 ultra marathoner will get drummed out because they have nothing in common. Basic Ground Rules for what you want in your Mastermind Group are essential to making sure that your group will succeed. My Bellingham Mastermind Group has ground rules. One, we have to be women. Two, we have to started our own businesses without help. And Three, we've gotta be scrappy. Gotta be fighters. My Seattle Group? They don't care if you're a man or a woman. They don't care if you started your own business. Their ground rules are that you be under the age of 40, with a business that you own 25% of or more that's grossing over $1million dollars a year. So, for your Mastermind Group, figure out your purpose and then figure out the criteria for joining the group.
Next, establish guidelines. This is pretty easy. How do you want your meetings to go? Do you want them in the evenings? The mornings? Once a week? Once a month? Two hours? Four hours? Will there be snacks? One of my groups meets on the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7:30 in the morning and the the meeting lasts for 2 and a half hours. There is light breakfast food. Another one meets at 6:00 p.m. on a mostly monthly schedule, whenever we can get our calendars to align. We meet at a restaurant, drink alcohol and those meetings last for four hours. So, your guidelines can be whatever works for you and your group.
Then, figure out what a meeting looks like? What are you going to cover EVERY SINGLE TIME? My Seattle Group has a 5 minute regimented check in and then 2 presentations or problems that the group listens to and then jointly group problem solves. This format works because, the Mastermind Concept is all about using the power of the group's energy to solve bigger than life problems. My Bellingham Group? We have homework, books reports, and a much longer update process that involves talking about our goals and our progress on them. We rarely mastermind about problems but instead focus on getting more success out of our lives. These are two different ways of approaching the same issue of "business." So, your group can customize it however you want but it's important that you have a stated way of running your meetings.
During the period it's important to establish guidelines for how you operate with each other like not putting down other speakers, a solutions-orientation versus a problem-orientation, sharing time so or having a time keeper, confidentiality, and mutual respect. This is probably the most important step as it creates the atmosphere for you to operate in. My Bellingham Group calls this attitude "remaining judgment free," and my Seattle Group doesn't have a name for it but the rule is that you never talk about anyone else in the Mastermind Group without them being present and in that group, you're not allowed to give advice - only experience from your history. Both work equally well and I'm sure yours will too. Just make sure that you don't miss this crucial step. If you do, you run the risk of your group devolving into just a gossipy group of people. Setting the appropriate atmosphere for how you interact with your group members will be the difference between the group's ultimate success or failure.
Finally, figure out who's going to lead? It can rotate, you can dole out tasks or one person can take it all. Just make sure there's a driver.
Phew! I know that sounds like it might be more trouble than its worth. It's not. After all, you didn't make all those goals that Lynn helped you make a few years ago. Where would you be right now if you had achieved even half of those goals? How would your life have changed? You owe it to yourself and your family and your co-workers to dig that list out, figure out a focus, find yourself a peer group and start masterminding your way to success. Hillary Clinton once said, "No one ever became a success without the help of other people." I believe it. You need others to drag you and push you along the path of success.
We hear a lot about masterminds and why they are important. Between the accountability, creative thinking and eliminating the feelings of isolation that many of us feel as entrepreneurs, a mastermind can be a powerful catalyst for growth leaps.
Napoleon Hill often referenced the idea of the "third mind," that state of creative brainstorming that can only be accessed when two or more people are gathered. What can be born from that "third mind" is the potential for a million dollar idea. A mastermind is typically comprised of people with different experiences, training, business models and ways of solving problems.
When you bring together people with different strengths who have a common purpose, the possibilities are endless. As a matter of fact, I actually seek out members with varied backgrounds and strengths to add to the power of the group.
One of my first experiences of leveraging the third mind was when one of my mastermind partners suggested a way to monetize a particular idea that had been cycling around in his head for months. Another member jumped in and built onto the first idea. Then another member added their twist. The next thing we knew the idea had morphed into a real money making idea that had a plan, action steps and a solid ROI. If the conversation had taken place between just two people, that same kind of thinking would never have led to this idea.
The partner implemented the idea and jumped from $600k/year to $3 million within 2 1/2 years. That's the value of just ONE GOOD IDEA!
I recently saw this "third mind" in action in my Fast-Track to a 6 & 7 Lifestyle Business Mastermind. One of the members had a business model that she couldn't figure out how to make profitable. She loved what she is doing but just couldn't figure out how to get it to break a consistent 6 figures. She brought an idea of transforming her "one level program" into multiple levels. By accessing the masterminds' "third mind" she arrived at an offering that will take her way over 6 figures in the next three months. Could she have gotten there on her own? Maybe. But she arrived at this plan in 10 minutes versus 10 months.
In my experience, there is nothing that can take the place of a mastermind to create the space for that kind of synergistic co-creative processing that leads to new possibilities. If you are in a mastermind, I hope you are creating that kind of synergy. If not, its time to change and get into a group where that energy is created. If you haven't yet joined a mastermind, you are looking at a massive leap forward if you are willing to access the "third mind."
Having just returned from an 8-day trip to Belgium, Holland and France, it has been interesting to observe the different cultures at work in the business of business-ownership.
In Belgium and France, the culture in dentistry is one of sole-ownership on steroids.
Most of the dentists in these two nations are true lone rangers - working with absolutely no support staff whatsoever and very little contact with each other.
They answer their own phones, manage their own appointment schedules, do their own book-keeping and administration - and throw significant hours of dentistry in there as well!
It appears to be a bizarre lifestyle - with work sessions sometimes beginning at 6.00am, concluding at lunchtime, picking up again late afternoon and continuing into the evening.
The concept of team-building or mastermind grouping of any sort appear alien - and my presentation to this audience was focused on self-marketing to try and increase the flow of new patients - ultimately another job on an already overwhelming “to do” list.
Contrast that with my audience in Holland - much more gregarious and similar to the business models I am used to in the UK.
Teams are in evidence - as is the concept of peer group meetings on both clinical and business related matters.
Here, my presentation was all about effective leadership of teams - and very well received.
Last night in our Leeds hotel - a further comparison as Simon and I enjoy the company of our Breathe Business Club clients over dinner, after a fascinating afternoon listening to their achievements over the last three months and their “shopping lists” for this quarter's meeting.
Although it is dangerous to have favourites - I am especially inspired by this one of our six regional groups - there seems to be a dynamism in this location that may be born from the fact that many of the members knew each other before they came to the group - either in dental school, in their community or through previous work with The Dental Business School - so the ice was broken very early on - and last night Simon and I had a chance to catch up personally for the first time in three weeks - as the clients were galloping away with their own conversations!
Here are the top 10 trends I noticed as we heard feedback around the room yesterday:
1. Our mastermind clients are hiring business managers to work alongside their practice managers; 2. They are redefining "recession" as a period of time in which their marketing plans have to be smarter and faster; 3. Measured expansion is attractive - with selective acquisition as the most favoured route; 4. The hygiene-based assessment business model is looking more attractive by the month; 5. Competition in the market-place is stimulating demand; 6. But it's harder and more important to stay ahead of the competition; 7. Client/patient loyalty must be rewarded; 8. Web attraction is becoming an increasingly essential way to attract new patients; 9. Branding is now more important than design - design follows branding; 10. Membership of a mastermind group is no longer a discretionary investment - it is THE way to ensure continuing confidence and success.
I'm easing myself back into my work routine this week - the change of scenery has been great - and I see nothing but opportunity ahead.
EvanCarmichael.com is the world's #1 website for small business motivation and strategies. Evan also runs a series of successful Mastermind Groups in Toronto for entrepreneurs.
Guest Contributor: Hueina Su
