Last month at our mastermind group meeting, as we were going around the table sharing our status updates, one of our members, who was the last one to report, abruptly announced that this would be her last meeting. We were all shocked. Not only because she held on till the last minute to tell us, but also because she was the one who started this mastermind group over two years ago. Most of the eight of us did not know each other back then, and she was the one who had the most experience in our industry. So, in a sense, she was the "mother hen" who took us under her wings, when she gathered us in her home for our first mastermind meeting. We had since changed our meeting location to a conference room and then to another person's office, but the eight of us stuck together and became good friends.
She told us that she is "the kind of person who starts groups" and that she has stayed in this particular group much longer than she normally does. She is going through some personal transition as well as going back to school for a different certification. Our facilitator and I managed to express our gratitude for her contribution to our mastermind group, and wish her all our best. The rest of the group sat there in silence - I think everyone was in shock.
Personally, I didn't see this coming. However, now that I have time to reflect on the last couple of months, there were some signs. At times, she seemed a bit disengaged, impatient or agitated during the meeting, saying things that were out of character for her. Perhaps she was going through something in her life, and perhaps she was no longer interested in being part of the mastermind. I guess we would never know, unless she tells us someday.
It saddens me to see her go, but, as a group, we must go on. At this month's meeting, we went on as if nothing happened, but I couldn't help but feel that the group has changed somehow. Like I said, we have been meeting monthly for over two years, and we have become good friends, which is absolutely wonderful. However, I've been feeling lately that our mastermind group has become more social, and less business-oriented over the last few months. Even though I do enjoy seeing my friends every month, I'm starting to feel that we are not reaping the full benefits of having a mastermind group. I know I want more out of a mastermind group, and I wonder if other members feel the same.
It's time to have a heart-to-heart with my mastermind group, to see if we can recharge and refocus our vision, goals and commitment to the group. As I believe that there's a blessing and/or lesson in every situation we encounter. Losing our "mother hen" might be just what we needed as a group to grow.
What are your 2009 resolutions this year for your mastermind experience? Is it to find a mastermind group you want to belong to or get more out of your mastermind group or contribute more?
Whatever your resolutions this year, share them. That is the big benefit of a mastermind group, having the ability to share with others what you expect from yourself and how you can utilize the mastermind to accomplish it. For instance, one of your resolutions this year, may be to contribute more to the group and step up to the plate, such as speaking in front of others. Share this goal with your mastermind group members at your weekly or daily roundtable/brainstorming session in order that you will be held accountable. Without accountability, most people do not bring goals to fruition.
You can also suggest the mastermind group as a whole bring their own resolutions to the table of how they would improve the group to make it more effective. No mastermind group is perfect and as the members grow as productive business people, the whole mastermind group should grow as well, such as having meetings more frequently or setting up accountable buddy systems.
Is your resolution to find a mastermind group?
Here are a few key things I look for in a mastermind group
- Synergy between the members
- A group of like-minded, positive individuals moving towards common goals and aspirations
- A mixed group of people with varying talents and experience (Otherwise how would you grow if you're not learning from others of greater experience?)
- Support and Trust (this is a big one, people need to know they are supported and they will not be belittled when sharing their aspirations and motivations within the group).
These are some of the most important aspects of a mastermind group to me and you may be a little different but the overall view is the same. Your 2009 resolution may actually be to start a mastermind and you will still want these principles in place to make it work, but know it can sometimes be a tough job to ensure it stays a positive group.
Whatever your 2009 resolutions may you enjoy prosperity in all aspects of you life.
Being part of a Mastermind Group has been such a blessing to me. And it especially comes clear in a time when I need it the most. You see, right now I have two preschoolers of my own along with a few others I care for during the day, preschool classes, soccer, dance, oh and did I mention I am pregnant and also have an online business and belong to several active mom groups?
How would I ever get anything done without the mastermind group? We are all banded together to help each other, work hard to accomplish things like creating training sessions, a monthly calendar and a report to represent our marketing training group, Crazy Foxes Marketing Group. I would otherwise feel overwhelmed and my own business would not be growing without a close group of like-minded people who are there for each other.
You see, the mastermind group Brad and I belong to have banded together all of our resources and not only help each other to prosper in our other businesses but have put our knowledge into a marketing group that is of like-minded interest to teach, train and help others. Your mastermind group, when you discover the right one, can become not only a teaching and motivation center, but a community who come together and bring out the best in you. It can balance out your weaknesses, even the temporary ones. I am so thankful for our mastermind group because business just continues to flourish even when I can't be there.
One way that my women's Mastermind Group helps propel each other all to the next level in our business and personal lives is by doing a quarterly book club. As a group, we take the saying by Charles Jones, "Leaders are Readers" to heart. We choose a book to read, give out homework assignments and then devote a portion of our meeting to discussing the readings. We've most recently read the book "The Answer" by John Assaraf and Murray Smith.
The book's basic premise takes a page from the popular DVD and book, "The Secret." It's premise is that you create your business by your thoughts. The place that it excels over "The Secret" is that it gives a blueprint for inspired action after you believe that your thoughts create your reality.
One of the things our Mastermind Group really resonated with is the concept of neuroplasticity. In the last decade, scientists have begun to realize that your brain can actually rewire itself. "The Answer" utilizes this information to give a concrete action plan for rewiring your brain for great business and personal success; a plan to break through your limiting self-talk and into a positive frame of reference to create your business and life.
Because of this reading, as a group, we have committed to following John Assaraf's suggestions on how to rewire our brains. We've done our homework (write positive affirmations) and we're doing the daily practice (read through and emotionally hook into the affirmations for 15 minutes per day). We're excited to see where this will lead us.
Guest Contributor: KayleenReusser Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog Last month our MasterMind group had trouble meeting, due to the weather. I live 20 miles away from our meeting point and with the weather predictions for the day, I decided the night before to cancel. I emailed the group members and asked that they let me know they had received the message.
Unfortunately I didn't remember to follow up and one member showed up at the restaurant for the meeting. Her Internet service had been down at her home so she didn't get the message. She waited half an hour for the rest of us to show, then left. She was very kind in informing us later by email what had happened. I felt bad and told her I'd buy her breakfast at our next meeting.
This was the first time after two years of meeting that we've had a miscommunication among the members. I should have called the members to make sure they received the message by every means. But I didn't know her Internet service was off, so I did have reason to think she would receive the message.The point is, be considerate of your MasterMind friends. Show up on time. Listen attentively to each member. Look happy to be part of such a group (so many people have no positive people in their lives!). Appreciate the commitment the others put into the meetings. Consider what else you can do to enhance the meetings - offer to buy everyone coffee, pass along items you run across that may be of interest to one or more members, smile!
What other ideas have you tried to make your MasterMind group meetings worthwhile?
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.
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
