Mastermind Groups for Graduates

Guest Contributor: Doug Emerson
Doug's Posts - Doug's Blog


Graduation month, June, has just ended and many fine words of advice have been offered to the graduates of high schools and colleges.

The grads heard about the challenges they would face as they built their careers and shaped their personal lives. They were encouraged to move forward with setting goals and taking advantage of opportunities.

I wonder how often the commencement speakers, parents and friends advised the grads that while courageous independence is an important part of success, another contributor to success is giving and receiving help from others? Yes, I mean the benefits of a mastermind group.

High school grads who go on to college will do far better academically if they become members of study groups to help them through the harder courses. And isn't a study group, (like minded individuals helping each other with a common goal like passing organic chemistry) another form of mastermind group?

College grads looking for the fast track for career advancement in the corporate world will benefit from the encouragement and support of an unbiased mastermind group dedicated to career promotions and advancement for its members. The adjustment from college life to career life is filled with decisions about not only careers, but also auto financing, apartments, furniture, clothing, relationships and always life balance. Many of these decisions will be easier with some additional input from others who are going through the same learning process.

If you are in a position to offer some simple advice to a grad, let others do the speech about goal setting, discipline and drive. Don't be shy about recommending the value of the idea of making life easier with a little help from your friends in a mastermind group.

The Mastermind Within

Guest Contributor: Janet Napora
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Your mastermind group is a wonderful place to advance your skills, help others and take advantage of the positive power that surrounds the group. It's a place to focus your energy and attain common goals. Different group have different meeting schedules whether it's once a month or once a week each meeting is important.

Actively participating in discussions is very important. It doesn't matter if you're new to the group or are just starting out on your path to your goals. Everyone has something to offer. Each individual is an integral part of the group.

What happens the other days, in between the meetings? Are you applying everything you've learned? Your road, whatever it is must be an ongoing process. Life throws many challenges our way. The difference between success and failure is based on how we handle those challenges. When you are faced with a situation that seems disastrous, with no solution in sight, you need to look to the mastermind within you.

Your mastermind group is with you even when you are alone. When you're involved in a mastermind group you get to know these people intimately. You know how they think, how they face their challenges. Reach into your mind, think about everything you've learned and discussed. You will find exactly the answer you've been looking for or at least a place to start.

Your mastermind might be about marketing, photography, business building or any kind of training. One common thread should be personal development. We are all changing and growing every day. Work on your personal development every day. It can be as simple as spending a little time reading a good book or listening to an audio. It's not only the people around you but the confidence you have in yourself that will help you conquer all the challenges you face.