(Yeah, it’s a selfie but I’m stuck on an island alone. Read below)
This One Action Quintupled My Income and Changed My Life: Start a MASTERMIND GROUP.
We called ourselves “The Starving Motivators.” In 1999 Robin Crow, Jana Stanfield, Tim Bays and I would meet every month, or three weeks, even weekly for a time, to brainstorm and encourage each other in our careers.
If any of us were stuck, needed input on a major decision, wanted ideas, or just needed a boost, we’d bring it to the group. The other three would listen and together and we’d brainstorm solutions.
Soon, we came to truly depend on each other, even helping with very personal issues… I mean, it’s hard to talk about career if your marriage is in trouble, so we went where we had to.
I can directly trace the career, income and life significance I experience today to the ideas, support and accountability I received from my Mastermind Groups.
Now, though we’ve all moved on to other places, we are still lifelong friends. My current MM group, M4, has been equally amazing!
A Mastermind Group is a small group of similarly motivated professionals who meet regularly to help one another and hold each other accountable for growth.
While there are many permutations of Mastermind Groups wonderfully described in my friend, Jack Canfield’s “The Success Principles” (which I highly recommend!) I will describe my groups and what I suggest.
As you read please start to imagine who you’d invite to join your group, and choose carefully. This works for anyone willing to proactively improve his or her life.
I recommend…
- Three to five people. Fewer isn’t enough, more makes it hard to give each person adequate time.
- Choose people at similar levels in their careers. This is not one mentor teaching a few disciples. It’s people at similar levels learning together.
- Decide on a time to meet. If it’s a local group, monthly is good. (My M4 group is scattered around the country so we meet three-four times per year for two days each time).
- Choose a time and beginning ritual. We start with a prayer and then a two-to-five minute update from each person.
- There are two ways to work out time. Either divide the time equally by the number of people, or ask how much time each person needs a depending on what’s happening in their lives.
- Come prepared with your questions.
- Choose larger issues – “Should I hire an assistant?” “Is ____ a good direction for my career?” “What’s the ethical thing to do here?” Stay away from the trivial… “Which font do you like for my web site?” That’s a waste of the group’s time.
- Give each person your undivided attention. Turn off your cell phone, don’t check email. When it’s your turn you’ll want the same.
- At the end each person commits to some proactive activity for which they’ll be kindly held accountable.
The surprising fact… You will find that the best ideas you get probably won’t be answers to your questions; they’ll be the questions that others are asking. Those questions and responses will be things you never thought of.
Do it now! With the right people your Mastermind Group will be invaluable in your life.
Please share or forward this.
Live Truly, Truly Live,
Mike
PS This is a day late because I am on a small island off of Dominican Republic between keynotes for a Fortune 100 Company. I’m making it a writing/creative retreat.
