What can you do when there's only two: Is it still a mastermind group if everyone doesn't show up?
Life gets busy sometimes, and it's no different for folks in a mastermind group. While we promise to hold each other accountable if we don't show up, and ask each other for help to be on task and on time, sometimes the inevitable happens: someone misses a mastermind meeting. Sometimes, only 2 of the group show up to the monthly check-in meeting, and then what can you do?
What can you do when only 2 people show up to a mastermind group?
Well, you could pout, and complain about why the rest of the group isn't as committed as you are. Or you could vote the people that didn't show up off the island, Survivor-style. But what good would that do? Isn't the reason you masterminded with these folks is because you value their insights and opinions into your life?
So what CAN you do when only 2 people show up to a mastermind group?
First, take advantage of the fact that there are only 2 people on the call, and agree to end earlier than usual. Don't feel you need to fill in all the available time "just in case" someone shows up later. Chances are if they're not there at the beginning, they won't make it at all.
Second, spend EXTRA time focusing on the 2 people in the group's unique needs. This is a great time to make a personal connection, and catch up on why some goals may not be met, why some are changing, or what else you might need help with. Maybe it's a new business idea, a new logo, a new website, or just some new people. Instead of the usual 10 or 15 minutes a person, take 20-30 minutes per person, and really listen intently to what the other person needs. Take out your contacts, and see who you know who can help the other person achieve their goals.
Last, but certainly not least, agree that you will both follow-up with the members who were unable to attend the mastermind group. Share the meeting minutes, and remind the others that we are in this together, and that we are there to help, to work together. And that we still care about them, as people, as members of our team, and that we're looking forward to their unique viewpoint at the next month's meeting.
There are some very good reasons to not join a mastermind group. I'll share my 3 favorites with you.
1) You want to always be right - If you're only looking for validation that your ideas are good ones, then a mastermind group isn't for you. Expect that others will disagree with you about your ideas, in a constructive way. But if you need to ALWAYS be right, stay away from a mastermind group.
2) You're afraid to succeed - If success is something that scares you, then don't join a mastermind group. You're going to succeed in a mastermind group if you put the work into it to give status updates, to pick a group that supports your mission, and a group that has strengths different from yours.
3) You don't want to help others - If you're into being the "lone ranger" and don't want to help anyone else grow, then don't join a mastermind group.
Are any of these 3 going to keep me from joining a mastermind group? Absolutely not! In fact, I realize that I am wrong often, I look for success, and I love to help others.
So I'm still on the lookout for 1 good reason to prevent me from joining a mastermind group. Until I find it, I'll continue to be part of an amazing group of people that give me FAR MORE than they get.
[Phil Gerbyshak loves to achieve more and to dream more, and being part of a mastermind group helps him be more than he ever thought possible.]
I've got a lot going on in my life: I'm married, I do a lot of public speaking, I'm a published author and I'm working hard on my next 2 books, I'm the sole author at 3 blogs, and offer contributions to several others, I'm president of a few non-profit organizations, I've got a full-time job as a VP at a financial services firm, and I'm going back to school soon for my master's degree. And I'm sure there are things I've missed that also take up my time, energy, and talent.
So with all of this going on, why on earth would I agree to be part of a mastermind group, something that undoubtedly will take time, energy and talent in ways I can't even begin to imagine. I came up with 3 great reasons to join a mastermind group, and I strongly encourage you to find a way to join a mastermind group of your own, because these benefits FAR outweigh the time commitment that's required of a mastermind group.
Mastermind groups offer new perspectives. Have you heard the old saying, it's hard to see what's on the outside of a bottle when you're stuck on the inside? This is why mastermind groups are so valuable. You can team up with people that are outside of your life bottle and see things you couldn't otherwise see. Additionally, the folks you choose will have different experiences than you, and can offer new ways to handle issues that come up, and can help you by asking you great questions that help you find the answer to get through those times you are stuck and in need of a breakthrough.
Mastermind groups offer a built in accountability circle. When you share your goals and with someone else, you help them help you be more accountable for the outcomes. One of the best ways to achieve something is to be constantly reminded about it, and a mastermind group offers 4 or more people that can ask you where you are with your goal, and offer encouragement if you've fallen away from your goal.
Strength where are you are weak. Nobody is good at everything. That's a fact. Joining a mastermind group helps you fill in those weak spots with people who have strengths you're lacking, if you build the group strategically. Find people who are organized if you're lacking organization, who have good writing skills if yours are lacking, and generally are gifted in areas you are not. After all, it's a lot more fun working in our strengths zone than in our weakness zone, and if we work together, we can ALL be stronger.
If you are not currently in a Mastermind group, I suggest you take the initiative to start one.A Master Mind group is a powerful way for people to support each other as they get clear about their goals and define what they need to do to accomplish them. The idea is that there is a powerful synergistic affect when 2 or more people come together in a harmonious alliance to assist each other.
I recommend 5-8 people to start a Mastermind group.If a group is larger than this it can become difficult to manage time and still give each person a chance to share and ask for input at each meeting.A smaller group can run into problemsand lose energy when one or two people can't make a meeting.
One of the important points to consider when you are forming a Mastermind group is to make sure that you get a group of positive people who are goal-oriented and motivated.Negative people or people who are always saying "yes, but..." will tend to stifle the energy of a Mastermind group and can result in a less harmonious and productive group.
You might want to start by asking people you already know and trust to join your group.Then ask new members if they know anyone who would be a good fit.If you are starting from scratch, I recommend that you screen potential new members over the phone or in person to make sure they fit with the overall spirit of your Mastermind group.It is much better to discover a mismatch before accepting the person than to discover this once the group is rolling.
I started a Mastermind group by posting an invitation to join on my blog.I wasn't sure if I would get any responses, so I was delighted when I ended up with 6 wonderful bloggers (Chris Cree, Phil Gerbyshak, KammieKobyleski, Tony D. Clark, Thom Quinn, and Troy Worman) who were willing to join.All 6 write blogs that I subscribe to and read regularly so I had a good sense that we would all fit well together.
Our group decided to meet monthly via a teleconference call.The calls will be recorded so that each member can replay the meeting anytime they want.We will support each other between calls through email and a private online forum I set up in www.gather.com.
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: Phil Gerbyshak
