Master Mind on the Line

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
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Recently I was talking with a friend who meets with her Master Mind group via the phone. She and two friends in another state use 3-way calling to "meet" weekly to discuss their goals, situations, challenges, decisions to make, and personal issues.

They begin at 8am and talk for perhaps 1 hour. Each person has 20 minutes to bring up anything she is dealing with, including any ones she needs help with. They take turns placing the calls so one person doesn’t incur all of the expense.

They originally met at a networking meeting in another state and realized they shared the same goals, passions for their lives. After my friend arrived home from the meeting, one of the women called her and asked if she’d like to join their networking group over the phone. My friend agreed and says it has been a profitable two years. "We bounce ideas off of each other and keep each other enthused about our projects when spirits lag."

This sounds like a do-able approach to me. Last week, Jack Canfield said during his monthly teleconference (www.askJackCanfield.com) that he makes a daily 5-minute phone call with a friend who keeps him accountable for his daily tasks. They each share what they want to accomplish that day and then check in with each other the next day. It is strictly 5 minutes so it does not infringe on work time.

Thinking I needed an accountability partner I contacted a couple of writing friends to ask them if they would do this with me. Both agreed. Some people may not think it necessary to have 2 partners, but my friends are in different parts of the country so that is an advantage to my networking scope. The further distances I have friends in, the more chances of finding book stores for signings in the future, etc. I will do the same type of networking for them in my area.

Plus both friends are working on different projects. One is an author hoping to find a new agent and start a new book. The other is a specialist in the medical field. I'm already learning much from them about writing in these areas which are new to me.

So even though this is a different format from my traditional Master Mind group which meets in person usually once a month, it is still a valuable way to share thoughts and ideas with like-minded people who want to see their lives/careers improve.

Have you thought about trying a different format of Master Mind meeting for added impact? Maybe you've had trouble finding people in your area for a Master Mind. This meeting by phone is an ideal way to combat that problem.

Or if you meet in person maybe you've gone stale in your meetings. Perhaps you could switch to a different restaurant for meeting place or have a speaker come in or have the members participate in a fundraiser.

It's like looking at a picture from a different angle. There’s always something to be gained from a new perspective.

Until next month!

Accountability in Your Mastermind Group

Guest Contributor: Damon Clifford
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As an entrepreneur, you have no boss to pat you on the back in your successes and no boss to discipline you in your failures. You are completely responsible for the success of your business.

On of the major benefits of a Mastermind group is being accountable for your actions.

Your Mastermind group should motivate and inspire you into action. Reaching out beyond your comfort zone and achieving more than you ever could alone.

When your Mastermind group challenges you, they will hold you accountable for your actions. This is very important to your business because when you succeed, they will praise you for your success. However, if you begin to fail, they will give you constructive criticism so you can reorganize your strategy or method so you will begin to succeed.

There are few places an entrepreneur can find himself accountable for his actions, a Mastermind group is a great place to receive the benefits of accountability.

5 Ways a Mastermind Can Grow Your Business

Guest Contributor: Melanie Benson Strick
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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.