Using Mastermind Principles When You're Crunched for Time

Guest Contributor: Wendy Piersall
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Most people who are big fans of Mastermind Groups find that it is easy to make the time to meet with their group on a regular basis. The benefits on our level of productivity more than make up for the hour or two of meeting time.

Yet not everyone is sold on the idea that taking this time away from their business will be worth it. Yet there are still ways to put Mastermind principles into action no matter how busy you are.

Establish Co-Mentoring Relationships

Many people have great resources right at their fingertips in their own network. Single out the people in your network that you want to learn from, and who you can provide help to. Then send out a simple request to establish a co-mentoring relationship. Let these people know that you are open to helping them out with advice from time to time and ask if they would be willing to do the same. Having a few experts willing to help at any given moment can sometimes make or break a project.

Start an Email Advisory Group

Both Google and Yahoo offer free email groups, and both can even help you recruit members. These groups work best when they are focused on a small niche topic and clear etiquette rules are established. Members can help each other informally via email as time permits, and the group can develop into quite a close-knit and successful community if the members choose to do so.

Make Learning a Priority

Whether it be through books, seminars, conferences, or classes, set time aside monthly or quarterly to grow your skills and knowledge. This is the simplest of Mastermind principles - to learn from and model those who know more than you do. Those who continue to invest in their success are the ones who continue to reap the rewards of their endeavors.