Sometimes We Need To Laugh In These Tough Times

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

At our last Master Mind meeting, we met at the usual place and time that we have met for the past 2 years. At the beginning of the year we may change our spot, but I can't go there now as a civilian (in my non-Master Mind frame of mind) without thinking of my two good friends who have met with me regularly and encouraged me to achieve my dreams.

That helped when I came and shared that my husband's place of work would be closing in 2009 and he would be looking for another job. I will be looking for one too as soon as I get my resume updated. They both reminded me of the various avenues my husband and I could pursue. It helped to have input when I couldn't seem to get over the announcement of his employer's shutting down.

At the same meeting one member showed us her new tiny laptop. The rest of us were jealous! It could fit in a purse, is light as butter, and has a webcam and wifi capabilities. She plans to use it for her off-site consulting business. It is booming and she was beaming. It was a joy to think of how far she has come within the last couple of years as an independent businessperson.

My other friend is busily preparing for a national talk she will give within a few months. She also had a breakthrough on her children's book and is hoping to complete that soon.

Interspersed with all of the news was much laughter, which I badly needed. You may not think of your Master Mind associates as humorous, but the next time you meet, why not have a contest to see who can crack the funniest joke? Award the winner with something funny. Sometimes we need to laugh in these tough times. It can do a world of good. Take care.

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

Sometimes in our Master Mind group we talk about disappointments.

In our last meeting I mentioned how my freelance writing business is struggling and I may have to look for a job to supplement our family's income.

I ended by sharing how during the last 3 months I had helped organize a volunteer group called Stitches of Hope (www.stitchesofhope.com). We crochet, knit caps for people who have lost hair, due to cancer, burns, or other illnesses. In our first three months we've made and distributed 300 caps, scarves, blankets in our area and other states.

I realized as I told my Master Mind friends about our progress how much time I've spent on the volunteer group. I've sent emails, made phone calls, run to the post office to mail packages to hospitals, written letters to people who might be interested in helping us, etc.

As we discussed my work with Stitches of Hope, I realized most of this work has occurred during the day, so it has undoubtedly cut into my work time. For years I dedicated myself to raising a family. I don't regret this as my husband and I now have three well-adjusted young adults who are making significant contributions to the welfare of society through teaching and military defense.

Now I'm making up for it with a satisfying volunteer program that so many people are finding helpful. But my career goals seem to be faltering.

My Master Mind friends listened, then suggested I could limit my volunteer efforts to times when I'm least productive in writing. I'm most productive in the mornings and can usually produce one story in the early morning hours between 7-10 am.

They thought I should broach the volunteer program more in the evening when my brain shuts down for the day - sending out emails, crocheting, packaging the items, folding brochures while watching TV. Of course, I couldn't run to the post office during the day or deliver caps to local hospitals, but I could combine trips to those places with a trip to the library to pick up materials for research.

By talking over my dilemma with my Master Mind friends, they helped me see that while the volunteer efforts are worthwhile, they should not conflict with my career goals.

Have you noticed how I've used the word "friend" in referring to my Master Mind group? I consider them good friends at this point and highly prize their advice. You can bet when they speak, I listen. I'm readjusting my work schedule to work in more writing during the day and disciplining myself not to let my volunteer work overtake my work hours.

What situation can you bring to your Master Mind group that they might help you with?

Multiple Mastermind Groups

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

Have you ever thought of joining more than one Master Mind group?

I belong to 2 Master Mind groups. They have some major differences. One is bigger than the other- 3x as much. One meets in a restaurant, the other a home.

One limits itself to no more than 90 minutes, although usually it is just 60 minutes. The other, since it is a group for writers, allows time for critiquing. Thus, it can stretch into 3 hours. Obviously this is an afternoon session,

Why belong to 2 groups?

Both groups meet once a month, which gives me an opportunity on these occasions to be around writers and meet new people. Being secluded all day writing can be a downer on certain days. But if I know I've got to get a story finished before I can give time to the Master Mind group, it motivates me to write harder.

Second, I've found ideas for the newspaper I write for from both groups. If you've not noticed already, the people in Master Mind groups are interesting!

I speak up less in the larger group, which some may see as a hindrance, but the thoughts expressed by the members there are worth the silence.

In addition, both groups are encouraging and stimulating. Sometimes as a writer, just as in any profession, we need someone to give us a hand up and tell us that what we're doing is worth it.

Consider adding another Master Mind group to your schedule or at least visiting another group. At the very least it could be helpful to see how the meeting is conducted so you can take back the ideas to you original group.

Until next month - Happy Summer!

What a difference a year makes

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

A little over a year ago, I was starting a full-time career as a writer after spending 15 years juggling writing, a family and full-time job. Over 1,500 of my articles had been published, as well as several stories in books like Chicken Soup for the Soul. Now I planned to write full-time and live my dream.

However, after a few months, discouragement set in. Working alone made it a challenge to stay excited and focused.

One night, while attending a monthly writing workshop led by local author Shirley Jump at Barnes and Noble at Jefferson Point, I met Laurie Gray and Tammy VanBaalen. Both women had similar aspirations of jump-starting their careers.

Tammy VanBaalen was a licensed clinical social worker. She wanted to market and grow her therapy practice as well as pursue opportunities in life coaching and consulting. She also wanted to receive training in neurofeedback and write articles about her vocation to help people.

Laurie Gray was a part-time deputy prosecuting attorney in Fort Wayne.

She wanted to find publishers for her Socratic parenting book, a young adult novel and a picture book. As a part-time deputy prosecutor, she worked with drug addicts and juvenile sex offenders, so another goal was to find tools to help those people successfully complete treatment and stay out of the criminal justice system.

Each of us had read Jack Canfield's book, Principles of Success, in which he discusses Master Mind groups (Canfield is co-founder of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books). None of us had been in a Master Mind group, but we decided to form our own "dream team". In January 2007 the three of us met together for the first Master Mind group.

The basic philosophy of a Master Mind group, according to Canfield in his book, is that "more can be achieved in less time when people work together. The point is to meet regularly with two or more individuals who are willing to share ideas, thoughts, information, feedback, and resources."

When Tammy, Laurie, and I began meeting monthly, we spent time getting to know each other. Tammy found Master Mind forms with questions about goals online and emailed them to everyone in the group. We filled them out and read them to each other at our first meeting.

At our meetings we brought news of accomplishments and progress from the previous month and often asked for input about upcoming projects. Our meetings usually lasted 1.5 hours. The fact that we were all in separate careers was helpful as we brought separate bits of information and networking skills to our group. At another meeting we watched The Secret DVD together and talked about it.

Outside of the group sessions, we individually studied books and other materials that related to the subject of success: Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich, Ernest Holmes' The Science of Mind and Wallace Wattle's The Science of Getting Rich: Financial Success through Creative Thought.

After meeting for a year, we are each pleased with our individual and group progress. Over the past few months, Tammy has seen her therapy practice flourish. She also created and trademarked a time-out blanket that she plans to market nationally (http://www.tammy-vanbaalen.com/).

The writing and neurofeedback training goals are on hold, but she is not disappointed. "For me 2008 is already shaping up as a year of opportunity and growth as I have worked to establish priorities that include the growth of my therapy practice," she says.

Laurie's goals have changed somewhat over the past year, too. "I have changed my focus from getting published to learning, growing, and writing. I still hold the vision of my published books as a positive intention, but I focus my energy on what I can accomplish each day towards that result, rather than the end itself."

As a result of her involvement in the Master Mind group, in February 2007 Laurie created the Token of Change(TM), a coin and affirmation magnet set designed to help people focus their thoughts, and create and maintain positive change in their lives. She found a business partner who helped her develop the idea and produce a final product that is now available online at www.TokenofChange.com and in a handful of retail locations. She also wrote My Token of Change: A Coin and Book for Children Ages 3-103.

She adds that a value of belonging to a Master Mind group for her has been the opportunity to hear new viewpoints. "As an attorney, married to an attorney, with lots of attorney friends and colleagues, it has been extremely helpful to me to have a professional free-lance writer and a licensed counselor and life coach as part of my Master Mind group," she says. "Their experience and expertise have fueled my own desire to write and help others in ways my own circles of friends and colleagues could not."

Tammy had read about Mastermind Groups and knew they often met through e-mail or teleconferencing. She has appreciated that our Master Mind group chose to meet in person. "Our group has started small, but is diverse. This has enhanced our ability to get to know each other. I believe all of these things have contributed to the success of our group and that we will continue to provide mutual encouragement and support to each other," she says.

In 2007, the encouragement from my Master Mind group induced me to expand my writing to newer and bigger markets. A year ago, the thought of writing a book was overwhelming. However, as we talked about it, Laurie and Tammy helped me think of it as several magazine articles put together. That made it seem manageable. I'm currently awaiting the publication of my first children's book and am assigned to do three more children's biographies for the same publisher this summer. My goal is to write more books yet this year.

An unexpected bonus came when I wrote about the Master Mind group on my blog (http://kayleenr.blogspot.com/). International entrepreneur and small business specialist Evan Carmichael read it and asked me to blog about Master Mind groups at his website. That monthly column about the value of belonging to a Master Mind group has been published for over a year at this site: http://www.evancarmichael.com/Mastermind-Group/labels/kayleen%20reusser.html.

Tammy perhaps sums up our experiences in the Master Mind group best. "We have found that a Mastermind Group is a great way to meet positive people who are motivated. Whether you are wanting to make changes, grow personally and/or professionally, it is a good way to get support and to establish and stay focused on goals."

For more details about masterminding, read The Success Principles or go to http://www.jackcanfield.com.

Think and Grow Rich

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

As our Master Mind met yesterday, I was reminded of how small the world is and how nice it is when the ends meet. About 18 months ago, I listened to a speaker in my Toastmasters group talk about the book, Think and Grow Rich. That was my introduction to Napoleon Hill.

Intrigued after hearing the book report (the object of the speech was to use visuals and the speaker held up the book for us), I read Think and Grow Rich and became acquainted with the concept of a Master Mind group.

At that point I had decided to write full-time and thought a Master Mind group would be a good avenue to pursue the goals set forth in the book. I met two women in a writing support group who were also interested in strengthening their career goals.

Since that time, we've met together monthly and each of us has progressed to our satisfaction. My first children's book, a bio of a country music star, comes out this month.

My two Master Mind friends have released products within the past year and are pleased with renewed focus in other aspects of their careers.

It was a pleasure, then, several weeks ago to run into the man who had originally given the book report in my Toastmasters group on Think and Grow Rich. He, an attorney, was speaking to a local seniors' group on wills and estates.

When it appeared he had a few free minutes, I approached him, re-introduced myself since it had been over a year that we had met (he had had to drop out of Toastmasters due to family situation), and told him what an impact his speech had made on my life. I told him it changed my career by introducing me to Napoleon Hill and the concept of Master Mind groups. I thanked him for his speech that night and wished him good luck on his career.

Then it occurred to me that I might interview him for a column I write for our local newspaper. He agreed and the story will be published soon.

His sharing with our Toastmasters group on his discovery of Napoleon Hill resulted in his profile in a local publication.

A couple of clichés come to mind. What goes around comes around. One good turn deserves another.

No matter how you say it, Master Mind groups are a great way to meet people and further your career.

What connective element has your Master Mind group brought to your life? Have you thanked the person(s) that have influenced you through your Master Mind group? Make an effort to do that. You might be surprised at the results.

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

This week I finished the draft for my second children's book and sent it to my publisher to review. A year ago, I would not have believed this accomplishment was possible.

Being in a Master Mind group has helped me think of doing the impossible with my freelance writing career. The friends in my group encourage me to dream and then think of ways to advance my writing career and fulfill my dreams. Over the past year, their suggestions have helped to get my mind off current writing assignments with local publications and focus on bigger markets.

When our Master Mind group began, I sincerely did not want to take on the responsibility of writing a book. The length of time it would take to write a book didn't appeal to me. My negative attitude about book writing experiences was due to stories I had heard from other writers.

However, with the encouragement of my Master Mind friends, during the past year, I approached a publisher of children's books that a professor had recommended from a class I took on children's writing. She said if we had never published a book before, this would be a good publisher to approach to get your foot in the door.

I thought, well, this is what my friends have been telling me to do to enlarge my territory, so to speak (from the Prayer of Jabez). I thought I could probably handle writing a small children's book if given an assignment.

So I contacted the publisher, saying I was interested in writing for them. Within a few days, she wrote back, telling me to send a resume and writing samples. I sent them right away and a couple of days later, she then offered me an assignment with a due date of 2 months.

I finished the book on time and she assigned me three more in a series. I've finished the first one of those and am working on the next ones.

I spell out this process out to let you know how fast your life can change with a Master Mind group. A year ago, I would not have believed this could happen to me.

But this publisher, whose name I'll divulge later when the book is released, is great to work with. It's being produced in a timely manner and will be something I'll be proud of. Over all, it's been a really pleasant and exciting experience.

A step in my career I had not wanted or anticipated is now coming true. It's like a dream and it is due in large part to my Master Mind group.

What giant steps are you taking in your career, due to Master Mind encouragement? What words of advice would you have for someone in your group to encourage them to think big?

Share News About Your Master Mind Group

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

Our Master Mind will be getting some publicity in the next month in a newspaper article I proposed to the Features editor that I write for.

Several people will profit from the newspapers article.

Our Master Mind group members are aware of the article and in agreement with it. We plan to share quotes about why we started the Master Mind group and what the personal benefits have been to each of us during the first year of its conception. We'll also share our goals for the following year.

The other group members will share how they have created small businesses, something they had been wanting to do for years.

I also plan to mention the publication of my first children's book, something I never thought would have been possible a year ago when our Master Mind group began.

This blog will also be mentioned as it was the result of me posting a note about the Master Mind group on my blog. Evan Carmichael read it and asked me to do a column.

If you've never advertised your Master Mind group, consider doing so. Think of the other people in your city or organization that would be interested in doing more with their careers and lives. We can only profit from sharing each other's experiences and joys and challenges.

Can you think of other ways to share news about your Master Mind group's successes?

Create A Vision Board

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

One thing that my Master Mind partners and I created early in our meetings was a Vision Board. Do you have one? If not, take an hour or so and do this for your career. It may not seem like a money-maker, but it is something that will inspire you to believe in yourself so that others may believe also.

A vision board is a bulletin board with pieces of items cut from magazines and other printed material that reflect your vision for you and your career. I put mine on a piece of foam board so it would stand firmly and last longer.

Cut out phrases and headlines from magazines that are positive and paste them on the vision board. Here are some of my vision board sayings: "Learn from the Best" (today I'm learning, but I'm also teaching others so this works both ways); "I did it!"; "The joy of investing in you"; "Where are you going? The adventure begins today"; "Oh I wish to watch them say 'Yes!'" (I'm thinking of editors here); "Let your creative juices flow".

At the very top: "Vision - Where vision becomes reality"

Hint: Many of these sayings were found in travel magazines. They seem to emphasize dreaming more than other publications.

My vision board also has pics of places I’d like to visit again - Venice and London, Mexico, the Southwest, the beach.

I figure if I look at my vision board long enough, it will come true.

I've not made anything like this since grade school. It was fun and exciting because it was all about me and my dreams.

My husband is helping me live my current dream of freelancing full-time. Thanks, John. You're my biggest dream come true.

Using The Mastermind Principles

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

It has not been an easy month for me physically. I've had a sinus infection that won't quit. That has caused me to cancel several meetings with friends, including my Master Mind group. But that doesn't mean I have not still used the principles of the group I learned during 2007.

I'm also re-reading "The Science of Getting Rich" by Wallace Wattles.

Plus, I'm listening again to Jack Canfield's Success Principles book on tape. This is helpful to listen to in the car as he speaks in clear, concise sentences that are easy to understand.

One of the results of my Master Mind association is that I'm working on another assignment for a magazine I had not worked for a year ago. This is my 5th assignment with them and it's a pleasure working with the editors and knowing my writing career is being stretched.

How are you stretching yourself? How is your Master Mind group helping you in this way? How can you help your Master Mind members stretch themselves?

Reach for New Goals

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

A new year has begun and it's time to reach for new goals. After tallying my finances for 2007, I'm encouraged. As a full time freelance writer, I made as much money as I had earned during a year at my previous job.

Of course, I'm not content to stay in that position. My earnings goal is double for 2008 from 2007. With several projects in process, I think reaching that goal is a possibility.

My Master Mind friends encourage me at each meeting to dream big. A year ago, I would not have considered writing a book. They taught me to look at the project as several magazine articles on the same subject. As I've published 1,500 magazine articles, that made the idea sound more appealing.

Now I'm in the process of writing a biography of a contemporary country music artist with a deadline from the publisher of January 31, 2008. The challenges of such a big assignment no longer seem daunting because my Master Mind friends have taught me to see a big picture can be broken down into chunks. These I can achieve just as I do in my regular duties as a magazine article writer.

Another goal I've had is to become a public speaker. My fear of public speaking has persisted for 30 years. In 2006 I decided enough was enough! I was tired of being afraid. And figured at my age I should be overcoming my fears, not still giving in to them.

A friend encouraged me to join Toastmasters with her so I did. Today, I have completed my first book, giving 10 speeches to our group during the last year. My last speech, encouraging people to join Toastmasters, was so good our president wants to record me for a commercial! My goal is to use this new skill during opportunities to speak confidently about my writing or other subjects as they arise.

This opportunity occurred recently when a local TV station interviewed me about my story in a recent Chicken Soup for the Coffee Lover's Soul book (I also had a story in Chicken Soup for the Soul - Christmas 2007). My poise and ability to speak without voice shaking was due to my skills learned at Toastmasters and also my determination to show my Master Mind group I was on my way up!

I encourage you to think BIG too! The only thing stopping you from achieving your BIG goals is you.

Goal Setting For 2008

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

As we near the end of the 2007 calendar year, I've done some reflecting over the past year. In totaling my income for the year, I realized it was not at the point where I had hoped to be when I set goals at the beginning of 2007. There may not be enough time yet this year to make up for it, but it did help me see that it is still good and helpful to set goals and strive for them, even if there's a possibility they won't be achieved.

Goal-setting had never been a favorite activity of mine. In past years I'd simply work hard and hope for the best in various areas of my life.

From studying Napoleon Hill's Master Mind philosophy, I now see goal-setting doesn;t have to be painful or disappointing if I don't accomplish everything I set out to do. I can keep striving to reach them and improve my life while doing so.

So while my 2007 goals may not come to fruition, I'm going to keep trying to reach them in 2008. Through setting goals in 2007, I have been able to send financial contributions to the children's home in that our church supports and that's a good accomplishment. God will bless my efforts there and provide more income for this family that is trying to help kids with nowhere to go find shelter and safety and spiritual guidance within its walls.

Do you have your goals set for 2008? Do they include helping others financially? I encourage you to find something you're tied to emotionally. That is where your heart is and you'll work harder to reach your goals when your heart is wrapped around something.

I do know of several legitimate charities so if you need ideas about where to give your money, let me know. I'd be glad to recommend them.

My Master Mind group will be reviewing our goals at our next couple of meetings to see where we've come and to prepare for the new year. It should be an interesting meeting.

Master Mind on the Line

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

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!

What a difference a year makes!

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

One year ago, I started my adventure as a full-time freelance writer. I was nervous and excited, not sure what the future might hold. There were some tough weeks when no paychecks came in and we seemed to treading on thin ice financially. The job ads were looked at frequently, just in case we decided this would not work.

Then our second car went through a ditch in an ice storm and was out of commission for a while. This prevented me from finding another job as there was no transportation.

During that time, I kept plugging away at my writing, while starting a Master Mind group in January.

The group consisted of two other people I had met in a writing group. The three of us were interested in meeting regularly and holding each other accountable for our goals, while encouraging each other to reach far and dream big.

Over the past months, I realized it is hard to dream big when you're concerned about every dime that goes out and comes in. By meeting with my Master Mind group, I was able to get my mind off of myself and think about my friends who were also trying new projects and careers.

Now, each time we meet, we suggest ways to work smarter, not harder. I'm particularly interested in marketing and have tried to think of ways my friends could promote their products.

Since January, both members have started websites and developed new products to promote their beliefs and careers. It's hard to imagine I had much to do with their success, but they say it is true.

They are part of the reason for my ability to think big. New markets for my writing have opened up, such as Indianapolis Monthly, Farm & Ranch Living, Elks Magazine, and other national publications.

I've also desired to share my writing talents. Two charities have held auctions in which I donated one free 500-word written profile to the highest bidder of each. This is one way to give back to the people who have supported me through the years.

Then this week I made arrangements to begin teaching a small group of inner-city students at a Christian-based after-school program on the subject of writing. A year ago, that may not have been possible as my self-esteem and willingness to put myself out there was not as high as it is today. This is a big step for me as teaching has not been a part of my background.

But a year of self-growth and almost a year of meeting with my Master Mind group has made all the difference. It seems like the right thing to do in sharing my knowledge with those who are young enough to use it as a career. Other writing projects, including one with a medical group, have opened up, as well as copywriting for a tourism center.

I can't wait to see what the next year holds! One thing is certain: my Master Mind group will be part of it.

Summer Mastermind Meetings

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

My MasterMind group met last week. We're had to meet sporadically over the summer due to family obligations, job responsibilities and other situations. But our goals have not been forgotten during this time. We reflected last week on how much we have accomplished not just during the summer but throughout the year as we have met together.

Two of us have created new websites and products for sale to the public. They will be more established in a few weeks so I'll mention them in a future post.

These were items that the members had are new concepts and first items created by these members. One member had always thought of the item as a useful parenting tool. She is a counselor and thought her parents /clients would profit from such a product in dealing with their children. She felt encouraged enough by our group to pursue its production. She found it was not difficult to do and is on the road to taking it nationally.

The other member came up with the concept of a self-help item and is also pursuing the idea of taking it nationally.

I've had several magazine articles come out this year in publications that I've never been published in before. They are national and bigger regionals that is exciting to me - Farm & Ranch Living, Indianapolis Monthly, American Legacy. I'm pursuing a full-time job in an area that I love reporting on - travel writing. We'll see where that goes.

MasterMind groups are terrific for networking and emotional support. I would not have thought I could make it in the bigger magazines without my MasterMind group. The others feel strengthened also by our meetings.

We plan to meet more often in the fall. Who knows how far we'll reach collectively this year?

Quit Dreaming - Part 2

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog

While filing paperwork yesterday at home, I ran across an article I had kept for probably 10 years on my bulletin board. (There's no date on it so I'm not sure how old it is.) It is entitled "Quit Dreaming." The author is writing to potential writers. He says to

I've had to take a break from meeting with my Master Mind group this summer, due to family obligations. My grown children are moving to other parts of the country in a few weeks and that requires a lot of time and attention in helping them make the transition. Another is leaving for college in August and needs some attention there.

But, I'm tossing around the idea of writing a book - what kind it would be (non-fiction most likely), studying what it means to compose a book proposal, looking for publishers, etc. This is a big step for me as I have never wanted to write a book, preferring less time-intensive projects like magazine articles.

It is only because of my Master Mind group and the studying I've done in the past year on reaching for goals that I've had the desire to think this far ahead. I've already achieved some goals in having articles accepted in new magazine markets for me - Indianapolis Monthly, Elks, Outdoor IN, Farm & Ranch Living.

Now, as my home life looks to be fairly quiet and undisturbed and more space is available for projects, I think I’m ready to tackle a book. I had a couple of ideas. One was a biography and the other, a historical memoir of a town's connection with the circus. But I found books already published on these same subjects. Without doing more research I don’t think more information could be added to those subjects, so I’m discarding those ideas.

I would really like to write humor articles like Erma Bombeck. I think there is such value in humor and laughing at life. My kids keep a quotes board and they put me on there quite often! But to write humor is different than speaking it, I think. I'll be working on this facet of writing this year.

And then there's my travel bent. I love to write about travel and feel it is important for people to get away from work and their daily lives to travel and see new things.

I also think travel is important to bond people together. Our family still talks about our tour of Alcatraz and the trip we made to Dry Tortugas National Park off the coast of Key West several years ago.

Plus, I think travel is an educational tool that can help us to reflect on our present-day lives and appreciate what we have.

So, for many reasons, I enjoy travel writing. I write often for the Fort Wayne News Sentinel newspaper in this area. Lately, I’ve done stories on the Levi Coffin House in Fountain City, IN, the Johnny Appleseed Festival in Fort Wayne, IN, The Inn at Cedar Falls in Hocking Hills, OH, and the Gene Stratton-Porter home in Geneva, IN. I also recently wrote about the Cole Porter birthplace in , IN, and the Winchester House Inn B&B Inn in the same state for other magazines.

That type of research and writing is easy and enjoyable to me, so this will receive more thought and investigation. One member of my Master Mind group thought I should cover Bed and Breakfast Inns in my Midwestern state. I may be able to do something like that, and would enjoy it thoroughly.

I've also got a play I'd like to work on for possible submission in playwriting contests.

So, even though my well of assignments is slim now, it may be the chance I've been waiting for to do more research into a book. We each only have one life and I intend to make my count doing things I enjoy and that matter to me and other people.

Quit Dreaming

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog


While filing paperwork yesterday at home, I ran across an article I had kept for probably 10 years on my bulletin board. (There's no date on it so I'm not sure how old it is.) It is entitled "Quit Dreaming." The author is writing to potential writers. He says to quit dreaming about putting your opinions down and to concentrate on writing practical stuff, like news reporting. That would be more attractive to an editor than opinions and fiction.

As the years passed, I had forgotten the content of the article and only could see the title from my desk. I began to put my own connotation on the words "Quit Dreaming." They would be as follows:

Quit dreaming and get in there and make your dreams come true. You are not getting anywhere just sitting with your head in the clouds. The world is accomplishing things; why shouldn't you? If you want to be a writer, contact editors with queries and suggest ideas. You've had some success; don't stop there. You can do more. Maybe it's time to write a book; quit dreaming and think about the types of books you like to read. Biographies? OK, what person would you like to write about? What angle would you take? Do research and see if there's an interest for this type of book.

Those types of thoughts have been mine for several years now, especially within the last year as I quit my job to become a full-time freelancer.

And yet, since I've joined a Master Mind group and listened in-depth to motivational speakers, they all say, "Keep Dreaming! Make a storyboard of your goals and put it in front of you daily. Make a list of things you'd like to do in your lifetime. Some of them may take a while to happen, but keep thinking about them and dreaming of them and most likely, they will come true."

To me there is a big difference between the first article I had read and the admonitions from the speakers I've listened to. The writer of the article wanted his readers to find a way to get started in the writing world. He believed fiction was a dead end and didn't want his readers to get discouraged at the disappointments to be found there.

But the point of a Master Mind group is to dream whatever you want and to try to make it come true. Of course, this should all be done with the purpose of helping, and not hurting, humanity and self.

My Master Mind group is helpful at keeping me on track. They don't allow me to get discouraged and push me to Think Big! They know I want to send $10,000 to a children's home in this year. I've been able to send part of that amount so far. With half of the year 2007 left to me, I'm dreaming I'll make that goal. I'm praying for it and I know God will honor that. Meanwhile, I'm working my tail off to make it come true.

Keep Dreaming!

Lady Luck Can Take a Hike

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog


I was in a group meeting lately when the leader said, "When luck strikes, you better be ready!"

As a result of the reading I've done in the past year on preparing one's self for goals and dreams, I realized that what he had said was not true and I quickly spoke up. "Ready for what?" I asked. "What does luck have to do with the good things that happen to us in life? I believe luck has nothing to do with them. Instead, luck is something that occurs with little or no effort on the part of the person to whom it happens."

My viewpoint may differ from other people in that I would not count winning the lottery as one of the "luckier" things that would happen to me in life (I have never bought lottery tickets as I consider it a waste of money and never will). Rather, it has been the blessing of having a supportive husband and family, spending time with close family and friends and knowing my purpose in life as a Christian that I count as the best things that have ever happened to me. But those things occurred because I was willing to better myself by learning to get along with people and study to improve myself and discover Truth in life.

I believe a person who has taken the time to prepare herself for opportunities to promote her skills, such as by joining Toastmasters and Master Mind groups, will be ready for nearly every "surprise" that should happen.

However, those of us who think positively and feel capable of taking on new experiences because we've prepared ourselves will not be too surprised, after all, when the experiences come our way. It is usually when we are asked to be on a TV guest panel, help write a book, or get hired for a job, that someone has recommended us. Or our own efforts at self-promotion have paid off.

Just today, I passed on a freelance travel writing assignment to a friend, Cathy Shouse (www.cathyshouse.com). She has time in her schedule now and will do a fine job for the editor. I would not have risked my own reputation with the editor with whom I have already been published and have more assignments in the hopper by giving her a recommendation of someone I did not believe would do as good as a job as I would.

So based on Cathy's past performance as a writer and her friendship with me, I gave her the details for a paying job.

On Cathy's end, she recently asked for ideas for an article she was writing about how to get teens involved with volunteering. I gave her some ideas and she quoted me in this prestigious parenting magazine article. I've never been quoted before, having always been on the other end of the interview!

My Master Mind group is the same way. When we get together, I always come away with more ideas and encouragement than I started out the meeting with. But if I was not willing to put forth the effort to get together and work at self-improvement, it would not happen.

Master Mind groups are all about working together to come up with ideas to better ourselves and our society. Luck can just take a hike.

Your Master Mind Personal Life

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog


It's funny how a Master Mind group can carry over into personal life.

A good friend in my Master Mind group is a prosecuting attorney. This came in handy lately when I heard my college-bound daughter say she has an interest in law that takes place in a courtroom. In other words, she doesn't want to practice Elder Law or other types that are less confrontational.

(I'd like to take a minute to credit our local Teen Court group for instilling this interest in my daughter. It is a group of high school from different school systems who meet regularly to act as a jury of peers and mock court room for students who have gotten into trouble with the law. A student, for instance, who has a DUI will be judged by his peers as to his guilt and if he should be punished. The punishment is also set down by the jury of peers. It can include anything from 20 hours of community service to counseling with parents to paying back a shop owner for shoplifting good.

The teen standing trial agrees to go along with the punishment set up by the teen court system. The teens taking part in the court agrees to keep all of the information from the trial, including names of students involved, confidential. The court is presided over by a local attorney who volunteers his or her time to the proceedings.

My daughter has been a part of this group for several years and has assumed various positions in the courtroom, including prosecutor. She has never revealed anything about this process of a personal nature to her family.)

I wanted to encourage my daughter to think about pursuing law an an avenue of career. Since I am not a lawyer, nor have a member of the family that is, I looked to my Master Mind friend for help.

"Could I bring my daughter to meet you so you can give her some idea of what it's like to be a prosecutor?" I asked her recently by email.

She immediately wrote back that she would be interested in talking with my daughter and suggested some meeting times. We will be meeting with her soon.

My Master Mind friend is very focused on her career and family and yet, she feels the need to share that knowledge and positive view of life with others. Her one goal developed during our Master Mind meetings is taking physical form and may be available soon for an announcement.

Hopefully, I can help her in some way in the future.

Personal friendships are a great result of Master Mind groups.

Starting A Master Mind Group

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog


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.

Forming A Mastermind Group

Guest Contributor: Kayleen Reusser
Kayleen's Posts - Kayleen's Blog


My MasterMind group is just getting started but I feel we've already made great strides. We three met during a writer's group monthly last summer. At each meeting we chatted with each other, discovering each other's interests in writing and our present careers.

Tammy is a counselor with a new parenting product to market for families. Laurie is a lawyer with dreams of publishing a young adult novel and a book about parenting based on Socrates' teaching. I am a full-time freelance writer with over 1,000 stories in magazines, books, and newspapers. I like to write travel articles, essays, and profiles of people.

Our writing interests vary, but our passion for success is similar. We all want to see our dreams come true. We plan to work hard and help each other by sharing advice and resources. Recently, we met at Tammy's office and watched "The Secret," which Laurie had purchased and already viewed. She had also read the book. She believed it was worth our time together to view it. after watching the DVD, Tammy and I agreed.

"The Secret" is a DVD describing how a person can begin changing his or her life for the better by changing her thinking. It features Jack Canfield (Chicken Soup books) and others who teach what the secret is that will help people live happier lives. I watched Oprah's show on February 8, 2007, as the people involved with "The Secret" talked about it. It was terrific.

I had already begun using the principles from "The Secret", which were first referred to in the Bible in Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."

It is a good rule and has helped me stay positive in difficult situations.

At our next MasterMind group we plan to share our newest steps to reaching our goals. Next month, I plan to have some sales to major magazines under my belt, made possible with the helpful suggestions of my Master Mind buddies.

What steps are you taking to reach your goals? I suggest you read the book of Philippians (4 chapters) and watch The Secret. Following the principles in each will help you find happiness.

Take care.

Kayleen Reusser

Mastermind Group For Writers

Kayleen Reusser 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.