I had the rather pleasant experience recently of being lifted high into the air by the combined energy of four people using just 2 fingers each. This technique required the lifters to try to lift me, having failed to do so on the first occasion, after some mental preparation and creating a combined field of energy which they transmitted through me. My part was to think about being light to lift - and to enjoy the ride. How was this apparently impossible feat achieved? On their third attempt, I was so high in the air it was amazing.
It brought to mind the immense power and energy that can be contained in a mastermind group. After all, this is about harnessing the collective energy and brainpower of a group of individuals to create the lift that will provide each individual in the group with an additional opportunity to grow and develop themselves and their business.
"No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind."
- Napoleon Hill, Think And Grow Rich
Clearly one of the criteria for the development of such a group is to have the right mix of people and by that I mean people who can create synergy. The success of the mastermind group requires people who arecommitted, participative, open minded and positive. They also need to be focussed around their own goals and yet also able to give positive attention to the person whose circumstances are being discussed at the time.
I have been in a mastermind group where there appeared to be several individuals not able to give this quality of attention to others and nice people that they were, it nevertheless diffused the level of energy of the group. This meant that the individuals who wanted to develop their visions and focus within the group were left with an empty dissatisfied feeling.
It's a young group that is growing and there is some learning taking place but it is important in any mastermind group to establish a clear structure and focus, and also for people to be trusting and confident enough to challenge each other when one or more members go off at a tangent into their story when they needed to be giving quality attention to another individual. I suspect I could only have been lifted off the ground when my helpers were able to use their combined focus and energy to give their attention to me at that moment
I love the fact that we've got the group going. That is a success in itself. We have some learning to do as the masterminding concept is new to some of us. We have the capacity to leverage each other's collective brain power and to rise to new heights within it.
Recently I was asked by someone if I knew anyone who was looking for a mastermind group. I asked the woman exactly what she wanted from a mastermind group and she replied, "I don't know, I just keep hearing about it and I think I should have one."
I've been masterminding for over 15 years. I've participated in and led probably 12 groups over these 15 years, ranging from spiritually-influenced to self-run to high-end groups facilitated by someone else. Each of these mastermind groups served a particular purpose and it wasn't until I was really clear about what my needs and preferences were that my mastermind experiences began to truly align with success.
Here is an overview of some of the types of mastermind groups that exist and what purpose they serve.
Traditional Masterminds.
Influenced by the popular book, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, traditional masterminds are typically formed by a group of like-minded people who want to tap into the power of a "third mind" that is bigger than anything any one member can access alone. Focused on achieving goals, these groups meet to support and affirm your ability to achieve these goals.
Benefits: Typically there is no cost, everyone in the group is considered equal and the group members agree to meet in person or on the phone regularly.
Downsides: Usually one member of the group will fall into the leader role and become the coach or facilitator out of necessity. This changes the dynamic greatly and takes away from the leaders own personal experience. These groups often lack any structure or system to run so unless the group is VERY motivated it will fall apart. If a few members get more successful than the rest, they will usually leave the group as they won't feel challenged.
Spiritual Masterminds.
Usually formed around a church or spiritual group, spiritual masterminds are formed around the power of prayer. Group members bring a challenge to the group and the group's role is to help them tap into a power greater than themselves to access new thinking, opportunities and possibilities to transform their situation.
Benefits: Spiritual connectedness is very powerful for these groups, many times there will be an appointed leader and a set time to meet (although many are run as traditional masterminds.) Many spiritual communities offer a mastermind guide to assist in the process of setting and tracking goals.
Downsides: As powerful as the spiritual connection is, these groups don't typically offer any kind of brainstorming or proven strategies so the person is left to uncover the path on their own.
Business Masterminds.
A business mastermind is hosted by a leader who facilitates a mastermind experience for their group. There are two key types of business masterminds: mastermind only and coaching masterminds. The mastermind only groups are the like a traditional mastermind but led by a neutral 3rd party. A coaching mastermind is hosted by a trained coaching expert who facilitates an experience where brainstorming, strategizing and support occurs.
Benefits: Business masterminds are usually by application only so it reinforces a certain standard or level of success in the group. The 3rd party facilitation ensures that regular meetings are set, accountability is in place, and that all participants are equals. If coaching is included, the participants will get valuable support to overcome stuck spots swiftly.
Downsides: These groups usually require an investment to play with other big players that you wouldn't typically have access to. Is that really a downside though? I think not, but I had to put something in this category.
In Napoleon Hills book "Think and Grow Rich" Mr. Hill says there are two characteristics of The Master Mind Principle -
*Economic
* Mental Energy
The economic alliance is the bringing together of the resources which we all readily understand. Resources such as money, time, experience, specialized knowledge and background.
The "mental energy" is more abstract and not as easily understood. Napoleon Hill makes the statement to explain, "No two minds ever come together without, thereby, creating a third, invisible, intangible force which may be likened to a third mind."
Napoleon Hill says there are only two known substances in the whole universe -- energy and matter. The human mind is a form of energy a part of it being spiritual in nature. When the minds of two people are coordinated in a Spirit of Harmony, the spiritual units of energy of each mind form an affinity which constitutes the thought energy phase of the Master Mind ... the "Third Mind" from two.
When I read this in Think and Grow Rich (chapter 9) I got to thinking about the physics of Resonance. When two objects "resonate" they are vibrating at the same frequency and in their combined vibration the energy they produce together grows in amplitude or power. Thus two objects in "resonance" produce a more powerful energy together than they would individually. The combined energy is exponentially stronger and more powerful.
Everything in nature is made of energy and has a frequency of vibration - including thought.
When a Master Mind Group is formed the goal is to create "resonate" thinking so that the energy created by the group becomes exponentially more powerful for the individuals towards a definite purpose or goal.
It is vital that the group be in harmony or there will only be a collaboration of resources and even that will be limited by whatever is not harmonious in the group. Without harmony the group will not generate a highly creative level of thought energy.
For some, I realize this talk of "thought energy" seems weird - but there are studies that show that thoughts are energy - vibrations that can be scientifically measured. There is much more that could be said in explanation of thought energy and different levels of frequency in different types of thoughts...but that's another topic for later.
A truly effective and powerful master mind group must
*be in harmony
*have a definite purpose as a group
As an individual seek to be positive and harmonious with your group. Your contribution to the harmony of the group will exponentially benefit your own goal achievement with more than just shared resources.
As a group expect and cultivate a powerful thought energy that is create by your harmonious group that will impact the lives and goals of the individuals.
Napoleon Hill, in Think and Grow Rich, taught us that a mastermind can cause you to think bigger and challenge yourself to play on a whole new level. Having a mastermind group is becoming more and more common place for business owners. So why does it work? Here are five ways a Mastermind can help you grow your business.
1. See your opportunities from a different perspective. We often get blocked in our own way of thinking. A mastermind can help you see opportunities from a fresh point of view.
2. Get challenged to play bigger. When you see other people creating big business success, something gets triggered that makes us want to kick our game up a notch.
3. Be accountable. Often we can let ourselves down but to let a group of peers down is unacceptable. A mastermind group is a great forum for knowing that someone will notice if you don't complete your action steps.
4. Access to your peer's resources and referrals. What is a proven resource worth to a business owner? It's priceless. Referrals to tried-and-true resources save time, sanity and money. A mastermind group forms a very tight connection. The commitment to each other's success becomes the bond. You will get access to referrals you won't get any other way.
5. Feel connected to people who "get you." Entrepreneurs just want to feel understood. When you are in a group of your peers who "get you", your confidence increases and so do your results.
Starting or participating in a Master Mind Group without conditioning your mind is like deciding to run a marathon without conditioning your body.
We were all born to be great, but unfortunately we spend our days from the womb to where ever we find our selves today conditioned to fail miserably. Our cultural information sources are full of messages of defeat, sickness, failure, humiliation - our journalists only report the bad, the sensationally bad news - because bad news captures our attention. Our movies are murder and mayhem, with "out of control, loveless sex." We have legalized abortion and put the elderly in "retirement homes."
Politics and religion aside - the message is very clearly hopeless with diminished value for the amazing creations that we are.
In this day, and in our current culture - not just in America, but globally also, we must absolutely embrace mental conditioning to maximize our experience as we take on the commitment of a Master Mind Group.
In Napoleon Hill's book, "Think and Grow Rich" he defines the Master Mind as: "Coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony between two or more people for the attainment of a definite purpose."
The "coordination of knowledge and effort" is key to the master mind group. Sounds obvious, but let's examine further the concept of knowledge as it relates to the success of the individuals and master mind group. Napoleon Hill's chapter on the Master Mind Group highlights three major sources of knowledge:
1.Infinite Intelligence
2.Accumulated Experience
3.Experiment and Research
Each of these knowledge sources must be formed on sound principles for success or the basic building blocks of the master mind group is undermined. Hill further states that knowledge is converted to power by organizing it - the above listed knowledge sources -- combined from the group into definite plans expressed in action.
As one enters into or participates in a Master Mind group it makes sense to condition the mind with the basic principles of success. Mental conditioning occurs through all that enters through our eyes and ears from outside of ourselves as well as the inner noise that we create with our own thoughts and self talk.
Mental Conditioning must provoke desire and inspire faith cultivated by auto-suggestions or affirmations. This conditioning produces a fruitful imagination brimming with ideas. Clarity results as organized planning is applied to specialized knowledge; decisively acted on persistently, driving ones goals and plans deep into the subconscious mind.
An individual mind that is so conditioned is prepared to substantially contribute to the collective mind of the group.
If you're not getting all you can from your Master Mind Group, infuse the minds of the participating individuals with some strategic mental conditioning.
I recently joined another Master Mind group, this one more structured and professionally facilitated by a wonderful small business expert here in my area of Southern California. It is so different from my other 2 groups, yet similar in all the important ways, that I could not pass up the chance to participate. It is specifically geared toward small business owners who need a support system of like minds to help brainstorm any kind of business issues.
Here how it works: We meet once a week at an appointed time and location and go around the table sharing what accomplishments or big events have taken place over the last week. Then we break into small groups of 3 or 4 and have 10 minutes each to bring up a specific challenge we need help with and have others brainstorm solutions and ideas. At the end of the 10 minutes, we have to commit to an Action Step that we will take by next meeting. Better yet, we have to write that down on paper and turn it in to the facilitator! Powerful stuff. So not only are we like minds exchanging ideas and learning from each other, we're holding one another accountable for making progress in our businesses.
Back in 1937, Napoleon Hill was well aware of this power of Master Mind groups. In his book, Think and Grow Rich, he talked about the richest industrialists of the day who knew about the power of this type of group. Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone were all Master Minders. What power they harnessed with each other and what success they achieved!
Today, we have this very same tool available. One of my groups is comprised of entrepreneurs like me in the Career Coaching business, all of us in different parts of the US and Puerto Rico - we talk specifically about our practices and client matters. The other is a group of 3 women locally, who have different career paths, yet similar spiritual philosophies and ways to support each other in whatever life issues we need help with. Now my third group provides even more emphasis on goal setting for my overall business success.
It's simply a matter of finding people who have similar goals as you, are willing to meet regularly to support each other, and build trust through confidentiality. Then creating goals and action steps (preferably writing them down) holding each other to the task of completing them, and then proceeding along the path toward progress. The sky's the limit on what you can achieve personally and in business when you put your head together with others!
As I have discussed before, the Mastermind concept comes from Napoleon Hill's book Think and Grow Rich. Anybody considering creating or joining a Mastermind Group should pick up a copy and read it cover to cover.
If you are still unsure, I came across a good book summary by blogger Tang Chea Hian. It gives a chapter by chapter breakdown and overview of the main points covered. There is enough information here to introduce you to the primary concepts and whet your appetite to learn more and get the book.
One of the greatest things about effective goal setting is that when you commit to someone else you are more likely to follow through. When you get involved in a Mastermind Group, make sure that you use your fellow members to hold you accountable to doing the things you said you were going to do.
A great example of this is Naadi Salaam. Naadi is a startup entrepreneur who always wanted to create a company in the hair industry. With the help of a newly formed Mastermind Group, Naadi was able to get the support and ideas she needed to launch her business.
I decided to embark upon the exploration and creation of a mastermind group in order to pursue my life's passion (natural hair and make-up). i'll have to expound more on the mastermind group, but i HIGHLY recommend the book think and grow rich by napoleon hill. since the creation of the mastermind group, 7 weeks ago, i have finally legitimized my hair business and created promotional materials and an advertising plan for the south asian bridal make-up service! ever since i got the ball rolling, it has grown and taken on a life of its own. i am now considering pursuing a home study course in aromatherapy so that i can better understand essential oils and their healing properties, in an effort to grow and expand my business by offering different services and products. i would have never thought that i would have gotten so much out of a simple networking seminar, but i did.
Have you had any similar experiences where your Mastermind Group really helped you get into gear?
Since starting a Master Mind group, I've learned to appreciate how things work together to accelerate one's career and life. For instance, I first learned about Master Mind groups last fall when I attended a Toastmasters (public speaking) meeting of which I'm a member. I joined Toastmasters because I want to promote myself as a speaker in order to tell more people about my writing career and perhaps to teach people about writing.
At the meeting, I listened to another member give a speech about the book by Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich.
I had heard of the book, but didn't know much about it. The Toastmaster giving the speech was articulate, used visuals, and showed enthusiasm for what the book, written 80 years ago, had done for his life and career.
At the end of the speech, I wanted to read the book and start utilizing its concepts in my own life.
After reading that book, I began to think of starting a Master Mind group. I knew of none in my area and didn’t know how to find one. So I decided to form my own group.
A couple of people in my writing support group came to mind. They were interested once they heard what it was about, and the three of us put the group together in January 2007.
Already, through the encouragement of the members of my Master Mind, I've felt compelled to work on my goals as a freelance writer and set steps of progress in my life that has put me miles ahead of where I was last year.
For example, one of my goals from meeting with my Master Mind group is to send a tithe, or tenth, of my writing income to a children's home in that my church has supported for years. We know the parents in the home are doing an excellent job. The children there are approaching college age.
Having graduated from college and worked in a college for several years, I would like to encourage these students to attend college and reach for careers they could never have otherwise. They just don't have the funds to do so.
In his Laws of Success series Napoleon Hill encourages giving it others without thinking of receipt. I'm following up on this concept and loving it!
In order to send the amount I've privately pledged, I will have to work harder than ever to earn enough dollars from my writing. The motivation of giving to the children's home is paying off with me sending pitches to editors of major magazines for articles, which I’ve never done before, and then receiving the go-aheads from them. The pay is much more than I was earning writing for my local newspapers.
This is exciting and something that is possible for me at this stage of my development as a writer because I’ve got the experience and the skills. I just never felt challenged to use them.
The Master Mind group is challenging me to stretch. That's a good feeling. Last week I made my first payment to the Mexican children's home. I can't wait to make the next one even bigger and to think about what could be around the corner with future meetings of my Master Mind.
Ellesse Chow writes the Goal Setting College blog. Her recent post 5 Tips to Daily Motivation discussed how to stay on top of your goals every day and move forward to achieve success.
Four of her tips are:
Develop an Energy Plan
Setup Little Reminders on Your Goals & the Whys
Listen to Success Motivation Cassettes, MP3s or other Materials
Visualize Living Your Dream Everyday
The 5th point involved Mastermind Groups and I thought I would share it with you:
Connecting with Your Mastermind Group Regularly
Napoleon Hill first brought forth the concept of a Mastermind Group in his 1937 classic Think & Grow Rich. A mastermind group is simply one that is made up of 2 or more people having a common goal. These people can be from different backgrounds and possess skill sets that help to provide leverage in the pursuit of your own goals.
In my opinion, if you're able to connect with a bunch of like minded folks and form a mastermind group where you're able to learn and tap on one another's knowledge, you'll be able to reap great rewards, one of which is constant motivation and encouragement from one another. For instance, if you're interested to learn public speaking, you can sign up for a toastmaster club within your vicinity. Mingle around and network, you'll likely find some folks very willing to share their knowledge and tips with you. Who knows, you may be able to team up with anyone of them to participate in a public speaking contest!
Nowadays, it's also very common to find online forums or communities of all sorts where you can register with so it's no longer just the conventional club that we're referring to. Just do a search in Google and you'll be directed to the forum of your interest. But remember, whether is it a brick and mortar special interest club, online forum or any group of friends with similar goals, it's important that you maintain the frequency of such contact. Too long a lapse is unlikely to bring any substantial leverage. Contribute your knowledge, experience and encouragement just as when you're receiving. Only then, you're truly living the spirit of Napoleon Hill's definition of the "Master Mind".
Khiem is the blogger behind Kiss n' Tale. His most recent post was on How to be Happy and Change your Life. In it he has 8 strategies including:
Spend more time doing what you want and what you like.
Relax! Concentrate on what you can control, not on the things you can't control.
Love yourself.
Show some self-respect.
Act on opportunities that present themselves to you.
Be grateful.
Do more, think less.
And my favourite, in at # 8 is:
Surround yourself with people who inspire you. Whether they are friends, family, lovers or mentors, find people who can help you develop and expand your horizons. Humans are a social specie. We like to exist for people and through people. Be independent in your desires and wants, but become interdependent in executing and achieving your goals. If you've read "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill, create your Master Mind Group.
It was a beautiful spring day about 15 years ago.As I walked down the hall in the real estate company where I worked, I was approached by Mike, a colleague.He asked me if I had a moment.Certainly was my response.Mike was an associate in the firm who I respected and valued. He was positive in attitude and active in his business. I enjoyed his company.
He asked if I was familiar with Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.I was and it is still one of my favorite books of all time.
Mike said that he was beginning a Mastermind Group based on his recent reading of Hill's book.He wanted to know if I was interested in helping create and participate in a group.I asked who else was being invited. He mentioned a few names of folks who I knew and several who I did not know.We chatted briefly about his plans and the day and time of the initial meeting.I was in.
Since that fateful day, I have constantly been in a Mastermind Group and plan on being in one forever.
What to watch out for.
I often begin my personal invitations just like Mike did. I ask if the person if familiar with Hill's book.I am continually surprised by individuals who have never heard of nor read it.In my opinion it is a must read for everyone.And I mean everyone.
I ask if they are interested in joining a Mastermind Group as described in Hill's book. If they ask general questions about size, structure, meeting time, meeting length etc, their questions are answered. If they are interested and agree, we are off to the races.Too many questions are not good.I don't want to have to persuade them.If they need to be sold, then we may do not have a good fit.Being open is a key as is trust.
New people are told that we are both on probation for 2-3 meetings.They can drop out with notice and no reason. We can ask them to leave with the same courtesies, notice and no reason.It is great to have a "getting to know you" period on both sides.There might be a fit or their might not.Fit is critical.
What I have learned
Find folks who are positive in their attitude toward life and business. Some are not.You are going to be spending lots of time (hopefully) in a relationship with those in your Group.Some things can be changed in ones life.Changing one's attitude is often a struggle and takes significant energy and focus. Choose your members wisely.
One of the major attributes that I seek is clear thinking.Clear thinking is very, very important.The invitees do not have to be geniuses.They just have to be positive, well spoken and clear of thought.Being well-read does not hurt either.
It does not matter, in my opinion, if they are in your industry.There are some potent advantages in having people in your Group who don't do what you do for a living.They can bring an outside perspective to your thinking.We often are blinded by the "normal" way of doing things.Outside observation can be and often is very, very powerful.
There will be lots and lots of give and take at Group meetings.Some of the conversation can be highly emotional.Certain individuals do not take criticism, even well meaning, very well.They believe that the only good ideas are their ideas.Watch out for folks like this.
Another consideration is to agree on the position held (or likely to be held) by the members.Are you going to restrict membership to for example, all entrepreneurs, or business owners.Or are trades-people, non-professionals ok too?You must reach an agreement and stick to it.In my opinion clarity of thinking is more important than job position.
What else
We have found that members must commit to the process and the Group.What goes on at Group meetings is extremely personal and private. Confidentiality is everything.Nothing leaves the room. Nothing.
Commitments must be kept to one's self and to the Group.Committing to be on time is very, very important.The meetings start at the time the group agrees upon.Period!
We also have a commitment to respect each other.No petty conversation or gossip.This is a professional group.
If you invite the correct people who are a great fit for the Group, you will form lasting friendships and move your life and business to new levels of success and achievement.
It seems like publishing books online is becoming a rising trend! Here's another version of Napoleon Hill's "Think And Grow Rich" online if you don't already have a copy of the book.
KayleenReusser is a writer and keeps a regular blog to discuss her business and thoughts. She recently uploaded a post on Mastermind Groups that caught my eye.
After hearing about Mastermind Groups from a Toastmaster member who discussed Napoleon Hill's famous book "Think and Grow Rich", Kayleen picked up a copy and immediately set up her own group.
Getting together with people like that on a regular basis to share dreams and work towards them together, offering encouragement and advice, should help your goals be reached, according to Mr. Hill. Plus, the group will hold us to be accountable to striving toward our goals.
She founded a group with a few members of a local writer's workshop she attended.
We're meeting about once a week for a few weeks to share notes and information we've found about goal-setting, then we'll settle into a monthly meeting.
She's looking to build the group to a maximum of 8 people (also the maximum we use for our groups).
I would encourage new Mastermind Group founders like Kayleen to put some structure behind the groups. What is the weekly / monthly agenda? How long are the meetings? What is expected from each member? Who will facilitate the meetings?
Making sure you have a set structure in place will keep the group on track and allow it to keep going once the novelty of the idea has worn off.
JemmaTurrell writes a blog on Power Selling. She recently wrote a post called Master Selling. It it she discusses how a person with a technology background can transition into becoming a professional salesperson. Among her tips are:
Learn to be comfortable interacting with others
Consider taking a sales course
Develop a strong level of self-confidence
Remember: Everyone is a salesperson
The one I enjoyed the most was:
Seek mentors who have been successful in sales or sales management. Use them to bounce ideas off or and share your enthusiasm for being in sales. In the classic sales manual Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill advocates the use of a mastermind group. This type of support can be wonderful in an advisory capacity. Think and Grow Rich is one of the most successful motivational business books ever written.
Looking through "Think and Grow Rich" last year about this time, I reread the section about Mastermind groups. Like a lot of people, my copy of "Think and Grow Rich" is quite worn and is filled with inked in arrows, circles and notes highlighting the passages of importance.Napoleon Hill's section on mastermind groups always intrigued me when I read it, but Fear had always stopped me from forming my own mastermind group.
I was afraid of my invitation to join being rejected by potential group members; worse yet, a declination to join might also be taken as personal rejection.
I was afraid that some members would not provide the right kind of support and input to the group and the messy process of rejecting them from the group would be controversial and painful.
I was fearful that the project would die a slow death of apathetic neglect as enthusiasm dwindled by group members.
I wish my imagination for success was more powerful than my imagination for disaster all of the time, but at that moment about a year ago, my thoughts for the success of forming a mastermind group overpowered all fears of failure.
With the help of another member, we talked about and invited two others to be members of a mastermind group that met on a conference call weekly.We knew each other; not all of us had known each other for the same amount of time.
One year of masterminding weekly has provided these results:
Accountability to members who understand me and my business objectives.
A forum to whine a little and then be positively directed to move on.
Education about others' business problems which are common to all businesses.
Quick observations and suggestions from members in a spirit of helpfulness and camaraderie with no strings attached.
If you are thinking of joining or starting a mastermind group to help you in your business, the only thing you need to be fearful of is waiting another day.
Doug Emerson writes a blog about making money in the horse business.
Dave Lloyd recently wrote a post in the Center for Career Growth and Advancement blog about tactics salespeople can use to maximize their sales efforts. After discussing ideas such as identifying your sales strenghts, working with a sales coach, and generating sales leads, Dave moves on to highlight Mastermind Groups:
The final resource to consider is one not many people think of, but can be tremendously valuable. This idea was first proposed by Ben Franklin and popularized by (Napoleon Hill) in Think and Grow Rich. Create a mastermind of salespeople. This requires some work up front but could pay great dividends, especially if you don't compete directly and mutually respect each other. A group like this could have various forms - you could be local to each other and meet weekly, or connect online or by phone on a regular basis, you could all be part of the same industry but sell in non-competitive territories, or you could hire a coach among you to assist each of you in getting the most out of this process. It's been proven time and again that a mastermind group of similarly driven and focused salespeople could be one of the most beneficial things you do. Regardless, if you're committed to sales success, you must continually improve yourself using either motivational techniques, lead generation and prospecting resources, or outside support from coaches or mastermind teams.
The concept of the Mastermind Group comes from Napoleon Hill in his now famous book, "Think And Grow Rich."
For those of you who haven't read it yet and are curious about the origins of Mastermind Groups, I came across a paraphrased overview of it concept in a recent blog posting:
The Power of the Mastermind
No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third - a third invisible, intangible force that may be likened to a third mind. You may have noticed many times that by discussing something with another person you suddenly get good ideas as a result of the discussion, ideas you would not have gotten without this association. Well, the same thing happens to the other person. A lot of good ideas have been born in individual minds as a result of having met in committee.
Associating with your mastermind alliance is not meant as a means of letting others do your thinking for you, far from it. It is meant to stimulate your own thinking through the association with other minds. No one knows everything. The more sympathetic minds you get together - that is, minds working for a common purpose - the more related information is going to be available. Great ideas are a combination of related information.
Pick the members of your mastermind group with care. Make sure they're people you respect and who are hard working and conscientious. You'll have a lot of fun, and you'll reach your goals just that much sooner.
The term "Mastermind Group" was first coined by Napoleon Hill in his famous book "Think and Grow Rich." In it he explains it as a group of people who put their thoughts, ideas, and experiences together to create a synergy and compilation of ideas that benefits each individual.
I highly recommend reading "Think and Grow Rich" and came across a valuable suggestion from blogger Reg Gupton:
Read Think and Grow Rich to learn more about the Mastermind principle and many other ground breaking ideas that I have found so useful in my life. While re-reading my copy, dog eared, marked up, I recalled that for years I read this powerful book every year between Christmas and New Years. Every year when I revisited the book I took something new away. The book was the same and I was different. It is now in my reminder system to be re-read every year from now on. You should read it too.
I hope you take the time this holiday season to read the book - and if you've already read it, read it again! I certainly will be.
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: Yvonne Mahoney
