The Value of a Mastermind

Consider the wealth of knowledge contained in a room of experts with different backgrounds, talents, and in different fields: - the areas where you lack expertise. Now imagine that group of experts is collaborating so that you can achieve your goals and dreams.

I’ve been in mastermind groups for just over 2 years. My first mastermind experience was with a group I paid to be a member of. This was a diverse group business men and women focused on improving our current ventures or starting a new business. A few of us broke out of that group and started our own, smaller, more focused mastermind. The diversity of our backgrounds and experience is our strength. This group continues to be an incredible resource for me. There is a special kind of bond that happens when you regularly connect people who are pursuing similar goals and life ambitions. In fact we just met in Dallas for our quarterly meeting.

Mastermind groups are a great way to move forward, whether you are an entrepreneur or an employee. I began this new mastermind group to help me focus on the challenges that all small business owners face: thinking bigger, discovering what works (and what doesn’t) from your peers, leveraging each other’s skills and education, sharing proven resources, etc. This kind of connection time is a powerful way to leap forward in your thinking and results.

Here are five insights of why a Mastermind helps you thrive:

1. Brainstorming is more powerful where two or more minds are gathered. When you tap into the power of a mastermind, opportunities are unlimited. Napoleon Hill in Think and Grow Rich talked about the power of the third mind. This is a type of synergistic potentiality that can only happen when multiple people build on each other’s ideas. Often our thoughts are limited to our current and past experiences, so the more diverse the group, the more powerful the breakthroughs can be.

2. Personal accountability. It is easy to slip into the habits that have kept us in our current challenges when we follow the same old routines. We can be our own worst enemies when it comes to accountability and staying on track. For many of us there is no boss, just goals. We will let ourselves off the hook when necessary or slide into playing small again. When you have a mastermind call or live retreat to prepare for and you know that people are going to be listening to your updates, it’s like a kick in the pants to remember to stay on track. In our group we follow a simple agenda:

· What did you accomplish since our last meeting?

· What are your challenges obstacles?

· What will you accomplish before our next meeting?

· What is the leverage? (more about this later)

3. Other people’s ideas can stimulate a healthy challenge. It only takes one new idea to put you on track for incredible results. There is a difference between playing it safe and stepping into our bigger game. Left to our own devices…most of us unconsciously play small. When you listen to how others think and strategize, it can help you grow and expand your “box” as well as challenge you to play a bigger game.

4. The realization that your obstacles are shared by many. It can be comforting to know you aren’t the only one who has struggles and challenges. Transformation starts the minute you become aware of the problem. But if we aren’t aware that something is a problem, then it’s impossible to fix it. Many times a fellow group member’s breakthrough can be exactly what you needed to hear to help you realize where you’ve been getting in your own way.

5. Overcome isolation to thrive with connection. Dan Kennedy says, “Being an entrepreneur is the loneliest job on the planet.” Most of us work alone from home, surrounded by people who need something from us or just don’t understand our passion for our work. A mastermind can be a powerful way to stay connected to people who get us, overcome the feeling of isolation and be a springboard for taking your business into new dimensions of success.

If you are interested in starting or joining a mastermind group shoot me an email and I’ll help you get started.