We were ragged over the new year - vacations and holidays had us postpone ourselves until the 13th-- and then we had a hiccough for the inauguration. But we're back and raring to go. We started with a surprise. One of our members invited a friend to join us. He sat in on our meeting and we are now faced with a dilemma. Yes, we like him, but should we expand to seven? Can we?
Particularly as we are looking at inventing a group project… so in addition to doing what now works, we are exploring a project that will involve all of us-- something that will make a difference, one that will benefit all of us. I have no idea, but it will stretch our thinking and in that way, it fits our idea of the possibility of a mastermind group.
So we have two new projects. Can we and should we expand to seven members? Either way, we are imposing a new understanding of our own structure. And what will we take on as a group project. Should be a facinating year.
This week I had the pleasure of watching masterminding at its finest. In one of my Career Transition Clubs (www.careertransitionclubs.com), each person shares what's going on with their job search, their current challenges, and always, any type of recent success. After the first go-round, one person in particular threw out lots of ideas about her previous work experience and what she enjoyed doing, all seemingly unrelated and not leading her to any satisfying job opportunities. No successes to report and her face certainly showed the disappointment. I then asked the question, "does anyone see some common threads in all of Christine's experiences?" A whole new discussion then took place. Ideas began flowing around the table, helping Christine see some patterns she hadn't noticed and even some great next steps she might take in pursuing interesting work. The power of "group-think" was amazing to watch. Christine's whole demeanor and attitude changed. After those incredible results, it seemed to take hold and others asked for the same kind of help. Ideas once again flowed and job seekers' faces told the story of the benefits of masterminding. When one or more people get together to discuss their common situations, fantastic results occur!
Know anyone in job search mode? Try this exercise: Have them recite their positive work and volunteer experiences, hobbies, interests and passions as another writes them down. Then conduct a brainstorming session - let everyone offer up thoughts on what this person might be best suited for. Get their buy-in and help them devise some action steps, and then report back to the group on their progress.
Napoleon Hill describes a 'properly chosen Master Mind Group' as '... a group of people who are willing to lend wholehearted aid, in a spirit of PERFECT HARMONY'. In most Mastermind groups that I've been part of so far, this has translated into dynamic pro-active group meetings where we share our experience, brainstorm ideas, discuss concepts and strategies and give each other advice. In short, the free-flow of conversation and debate is, for many, one of the most wonderful aspects of being part of it all.
But this week, on returning home after 6 months abroad, I met with some trusted members of my first ever Mastermind group and we decided to start 2009 with a session that was radically different. The focus would be on lending our 'wholehearted aid' simply by listening to each other - and I mean Listening with a capital 'L'.
The 'rules' were simple - the session was to last no longer than 2 hours. We chose a random object in the room to pass around - whoever held it would become the Speaker, the others would become the Listeners. The Speaker would take up the object and talk, uninterrupted, for as long as they needed about whatever they wanted. The others would just genuinely and completely listen to what they had to say, nothing more:
No questions. No interruptions. No input. No discussion. No advice.
Once the Speaker was done or felt the time was right, they would pass the object to the next person and then they would become the Speaker for as long as they wanted, then onto the next person. And round again - each member would get 3 turns, then the session would be closed.
So, with many reservations (how un-Mastermind! how will we cope without being able to ask questions or give advice?, how will that work? what good will it do?), we began. Here we go again - the Power of the Mastermind! What an amazing session. Somehow, the dynamics of giving support to each other by simply listening, allowed each of us to access our own thoughts and in this case, especially our emotions, in a truly uncommon way. We were all given time to speak our minds without being judged, interrupted or being given well-meaning advice. This allowed us the possibility of being able to talk ourselves round to a different perspective or leaving point during the session, especially over the course of our 3 respective turns. As my coaching manual says, Listening is 'the highest form of hospitality', of the sort that does not set out 'to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place, hospitality is not a subtle invitation to adopt the lifestyle of the host, but the gift of a chance for the guest to find his own'.
If there's one thing I love about Masterminding, it's the feeling that anything could (and almost always does) happen in the groups to change or expand your perspective and awareness. How many times a day do you feel you're being truly and deeply listened to by those around you? How often do you really Listen to what your partner or children or friends or colleagues are trying to say? Despite the fact that it's a crucial element to good communication, listening, unlike speaking, reading and writing, is a skill which is little taught and even less practiced in the true sense of the word. So listen up! Try Listening-only in your Mastermind group once in a while - it could be one of the most 'wholehearted' meetings you have together.
What could this blog post title possibly mean? How can a recession be related to mastermind groups? I'm glad you asked.
Look, we a re most certainly in a recession in the US and in many other countries. But that doesn't mean it's as bad as the media makes it out to be. There is still plenty of real money out there and it's being spent on things that bring a value in the B2C and B2B world. As long as you're a value provider, people should be praying that you stick around to give them what they need.
Actually, the situation is only as bad as you let it be. The beauty of being a business owner in a rough economic climate is that you have the opportunity to control your own destiny.
Others that are employees are at the mercy of an employer. Those that are employees of very large companies are in real trouble. They're just waiting for someone on the board to realize that they've been over staffed for years and this is a great time to make lots of heads roll with nobody questioning it.
If that doesn't motivate you to get on the ball right now in 2009, I don't know what will.
So here's how this is all related to Mastermind Groups.
Although now is not the time to pull your money out of dwindling investment funds, you should most certainly be investing the money you are earning now in yourself and your business. I'm referring to education and tools for your own business operation.
Open up your business to new revenue streams that allow you to generate more income from your current clients. These streams should be relevant to your current capabilities so it doesn't need a learning curve on your company's part and fits your target audience as something they need. It will also open the door to new clients that have been hanging around on your "potential" list for some time now.
Stay connected with thought leaders, mentors/advisors/coaches, mastermind groups, networking/business associations, etc. People are doing well in many places. It's a safer place to be and easier to do well in numbers versus all on your own. That goes for any time, but now especially.
Be serious about your goals this year. Don't just write them down. Make an actual structured, realistic plan with a timeline to reach those goals. If you get stuck on how to get it done, get help! That's what a mastermind group is for, my friend.
The resources and tools to come out ahead of the pack are out there. If you're not involved in a mastermind group yet, make that part or your personal/business investment portfolio this year. If you are in one, take a hard look at what that group can do for you and utilize it. Join another on top of that group or drop the current and find another if necessary. Just be in a mastermind and participate.
Now you know what you have to do but here's a quick recap:
- Close your ears to the media hype and use your own eyes to determine how the economy if affecting you and your clients
- Keep providing value to clients and add more revenue streams providing value
- Utilize a "more heads is better than 1" approach to keep the new ideas coming and for help in implementation.
At our last mastermind group, we checked in on everyone's status and progress. Two of us are writing books (respectively). My book is Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul: 7 Keys to Nurture Yourself While Caring for Others. Randy hasn't told us his book title. We both set out to write our own book back in August, and neither completed the book by the deadlines we set for ourselves. Needless to say, we were a bit disappointed and wished we could show our books to our mastermind group.
Being a supportive group, other members tried to help us feel better by pointing out what else is in our lives and what we have accomplished. Randy got a lot on his plate - he was one of the presenters at the annual ICF conference, he is working hard on his coaching program and forming a new partnership, and, to top it off, he just had a brand new baby last month. I also have a lot going on -- keynote speaking at the Northeast Regional Oncology Nursing Conference and several other speaking engagements, coaching clients, teaching Teleclass, developing new products and group coaching programs, forming new strategic alliances, volunteer work, running businesses with my husband, not to mention raising two kids and volunteering at their schools. Not to give ourselves excuses, but, we do have very full plates, and we have both accomplished a lot in the last few months. Isn't it so common that we tend to focus on what we did not achieve and beat ourselves up, while overlooking all the other things we have accomplished?
Writing the book is an important project for me, but, there are so many other priorities in my life and business. It would be nice to lock myself in a resort to write my book, but, it's far from my reality. I realized that I wasn't being realistic when I set my goal in August. I totally didn't consider how little work I would be able to get done in August, with two kids home, family visiting and our vacation, etc. September was an extremely busy month, too, for our family and for my business. A bunch of exciting new projects and opportunities sidetracked me, and I lost my momentum in writing my book.
In addition, being a first-time author, I grossly under-estimated how much time and work it would take to write and edit the book, and all the back and forth with the publisher, the graphic designer, the editor, etc. I was influenced by all the gurus out there who said they wrote their books in as little as 24 hours, and thought it would be a breeze for me too. Wow, what a learning experience for me! I realized that the way I write takes a lot from me, and I need a lot of internal processing before I can write the words. It has to come straight from my heart, and sometimes it takes a long time. My colleagues in my mastermind group helped me see that my writing is very unique, and it touches people because it comes from my heart. I would be doing myself and my readers a disservice if I try to rush the process or change my style just to meet a certain deadline.
One thing is for sure -- it definitely doesn't help the progress by beating myself up. I did a reality check. Randy and I both started writing in August, and it's only been 4 months. Many authors took years to write their books. We are doing just fine. Seriously. I'd rather take the time, enjoy the writing process, and produce a book I'm proud of, than rushing to the finish line just for the sake of finishing the project. It would totally defeat the purpose if I'm stressing myself out and breaking down, while writing a book about Intensive Self-Care. Yeah, that would be the upmost irony, wouldn't it?
With the fresh outlook, I decided to cut myself a slack and just enjoy the holidays with my family. The writing will come naturally when I am relaxed and centered. I'd be more patient with myself, trusting that the book will get done when it's the right time.
By the way, I'm back on writing my book again and getting close to completion. Randy, on the other hand, decided to put his book on the back burner for the time being. When the right time comes, he will complet his book. I have no doubt about that.
January 1st isn't just a day for gingerly nursing hangovers. It is also a day for reflection and contemplation of 2008 and planning how you can shine in 2009. Our Mastermind Group develops goals (they could be called 'New Year's Resolutions', I suppose). We share these goals with each other via email and at our monthly meetings. But, then, we take it one step further:mini-accountability groups.
One way to ensure that you'll hit the gym every day at 6 a.m. is to have a workout buddy that's expecting you. Making a promise to yourself and breaking it is one thing; disappointing a friend who woke up at 6 a.m. is another.
Our Mastermind Group has created small accountability groups within our larger group. These mini-accountability groups email every single Friday with updates on one big goal and give an update to the entire group at our monthly Mastermind meetings. Having the mini, weekly check-ins is a big help in keeping each person accountable. Seeing other members making major progress on their goals is exciting and inspiring. Additionally, a little bit of positive peer pressure is a good thing. Just like you don't want to let your workout buddy down, losing the respect of your accountability group because of poor progress on achievable goals is unacceptable.
If you have a Mastermind Group, use January 1st as a time to bring in this new practice to enhance your output and progress on your goals.
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: Michael Lipp
