Mastermind Groups: Commitment & Best Interest

Guest Contributor: George J. Sierchio
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I know when people think about becoming a part of a mastermind group, one of their peeves is the commitment. And it is a commitment.

Here's my quick take on this subject. Things take time to change around. The purpose of a mastermind group is to meet at a specific time/day every month, help out your other members, and come to the group with a few things you want help or an opinion on. Your goal is to help them, leave with answers to your concerns, and vow to get something specific done to report on in the next meeting.

If you're looking to go to a meeting or two and expecting the answers to the meaning of life to be given to you, you're not ready for the purpose and power of a mastermind group. Especially since it's as much give as it is take. Too much on either side of this fence and it doesn't work.

This is how you best utilize a "many heads are better than one" situation. A trust is built between everyone that is necessary to feel comfortable laying out your issues candidly and getting candid answers. The commitment lets everyone know you are in it for the long haul and the benefit of the group as a whole.

So once you understand how a group works, you can now see why if you can't commit to a year, 6 months at a minimum, you shouldn't bother joining. By the way, many times there is a minimum required commitment and rightfully so for the benefit of all members and the sanity of the facilitator.

Now that we have you looking for a group that you can see yourself committing to for 6 months or more, I can give you the rest of the big picture.

A mastermind group is not a life long commitment. If you did your homework, your current group should serve you well from 6 months to 2 years (in my experience). But don't think that eventually it won't work for you anymore. And I'm talking from experience here.

Sooner or later, something will prompt your exit of the group:
- the premise of the group (heavily marketing oriented or some other subject),
- the member make up of the group (you should eventually “outgrow” the membership in terms of reaching your goals and hitting the next level), or the
- facilitator of the group (you may have gone beyond the facilitator's ability to be a mentor based on your business growth or shift)

One way or another, you will outgrow the group. Stick to your commitment, be a true group member, reach the ultimate goals you set as a reason to join the group, and then move on to the next mastermind group that fits your needs.