What sets your mastermind apart from every other friend, advisor and support system? The fact that it is a group of individuals who come together to create a special bond that challenges each person to play their biggest game ever. I just got back from facilitating a mastermind retreat for my platinum level members (all of who are over six figures) and realized that one of the greatest a-ha's each member walked away with was where they were playing small. We get used to seeing our world through our own filters. But in a safe spaced designed to encourage breakthroughs and new possibilities, you can tap into a whole new world by seeing who you are through other people's possibilities for you.
For example, one member had become quite focused on a business offering they just knew was perfect. As the mastermind held this person to their goals, values and priorities, the member found that they were giving away a lot of value without being compensated for it. Taking that program to the marketplace the way it was would have spelled burn out and overwhelm. The mastermind was able to brainstorm a powerful program that aligned with the member's value, priorities and goals.
So how does a mastermind help you play bigger?
Here are four of the ways that a mastermind can help.
1. Spotting being busy versus being productive. It's an insidious habit to just be busy. It's hard to recognize when you have fallen into the habit. Your mastermind can help you identify if you've fallen back into the busy trap and get you back on track.
2. Recognizing if you are playing small or getting in your own way. After a while, the group gets to know you and your patterns. They can quickly and easily spot an attempt to play it safe.
3. Role modeling what's possible. Inevitably, some of the members will be focusing on different or more advanced opportunities. By doing so, they are providing a bigger game to shoot for. For instance, two of the members of my Platinum group are now focused on working less and building more "lifestyle" into their life. The rest of the group lit up and became so energized that they began to reorient their own game so that lifestyle was a part of the vision.
4. Holding you accountable. You really want to have a group who does more than just show up and brainstorm with you. You want them to want your success for you just as much as you do. Having a group buddy or a way to track accountability helps.
Tapping into the power of a mastermind is life-changing. I personally have benefited for over 15 years and see how others lives are changed through the mastermind process. Most importantly, if a mastermind is leveraged properly, you can find yourself light years ahead by simply showing up with other's who are committed to playing a big game.
Is your mastermind super-charged? Well, if you are growing at the speed of light, feeling challenged to play a bigger game, and thinking of ways to take your business to the next level then yes, you probably have a super-charged mastermind.
But for many people in a mastermind, you might actually feel like Debbie did. Debbie stopped me at a recent event where I was speaking to ask me about my mastermind group. I often will talk about how my own personal mastermind group has challenged me to skyrocket my success. Debbie shared with me that in her mastermind group, she felt stagnant. Often her group, as well meaning as they all were, just went through the motions. Many showed up late to the meetings, didn't have any progress to share and seemed as if they were "on another planet."
Debbie was feeling the pain of a mastermind group in burn out. That happens when people get comfortable and don't feel that challenge to rise to the occasion anymore. I suggested that she "super-charge" her mastermind group.
So what are my 3 secrets to a super-charged mastermind?
First, only allow into the group people who share common values of integrity, connection and win-win outcomes. When your mastermind group hits a lull, it will be the common values that create a foundation to push past the burn out.
Second, have consequences for not showing up, being late, or not accomplishing goals. Human beings are susceptible to the "comfort zone." There has to be something at stake to continue to push past that comfort and continue to grow. Each group member must be aware of the cost of not playing by the rules.
Third, reenergize the group by introducing new players. Sometimes you just have to shake the group up a bit and get fresh bodies (and thinking) into the group.
The bottom line is that your mastermind group needs to stimulate, challenge and inspire you to play a bigger game. If that's not happening, you might need to find a new group.
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.
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: Melanie Benson Strick
