Start your own master mind group!

Master Mind groups are formal groups (I recommend no more than 4) that come together in person or by phone to support each other in whatever the individuals want help on. It harnesses the synergy of a team that you normally find in an organizational environment.

Napoleon Hill, author of "Think and Grow Rich", invented the concept of the master mind group way back in the 1900's. You may recognize the name due to the recent explosion of interest in his work around the Law of Attraction that is the foundation for the popular movie, "The Secret".

How does it work?

Passion in business described how it operates:

In a Master Mind Group, the agenda belongs to the group, and each person’s participation is critical to the success of the group. Your peers give you feedback, help you brainstorm new possibilities, and set up accountability structures that keep you focused and on track. You will create a community of supportive colleagues who will brainstorm together to move the group to new heights.

You'll gain tremendous insights, which can improve your business and personal life. Your Master Mind Group is like having an objective board of directors.

What Will You Get From It?

* Experience, skill and confidence
* Real progress in your business and personal life
* An instant and valuable support network
* A sense of shared endeavor - there are others out there!
* Design things to be the way you want them to be, not as you've been told they "should" be

Who Should be a member?

You want people who have a similar interest. For example, a group of executives starting their own consulting companies.

They should be willing to make a commitment for a year to give a chance for the group to work. Note: It takes at least 4-6 months for the group to really gel and get to a consistent level of performing.

Interview people you are considering. Ask them what they can bring to the group and share what you bring to the table as well.

You all will need to be able to give each other feedback and be honest and willing to discuss when things are not going well. This is the most challenging aspect. And the most rewarding.

This needs to be a group that is passionate about blowing through the roadblocks and really exceeding everyone’s goals.

What are the logistics?

I recommend meeting every two to four weeks at the same time. That way you can protect the time in your calendar. It means protecting that time as part of your commitment to each other.

You generally start a meeting with a check-in to share what you need to discuss. That drives the agenda with equal time given. Sometimes, my MM group will devote an entire meeting to working on a single issue for one member. We then make sure subsequent meetings shift their focus to the rest of the group. It is very democratic.

Here some additional information from the article:

Before agreeing to let any new applicants into your group, it’s important to screen them to make sure they’ll fit into the existing group and that their commitment level is high. Decide in advance how many people should be in your group and only allow new members into the group with the unanimous consent of everyone in the group.

* Do you have a personal or business mission or vision statement?
* What are your five-year goals?
* Where will you find time to participate in the Master Mind Group?
* What is your commitment to moving forward in your business and personal life?
* Why should you be chosen to participate in this group?

Even with a screening process your group is likely to run across people who say that they’re committed but then don’t participate, or who say that they’re honest but then fail to keep the trust of the group. Be prepared to ask people to leave the group who are not participating up to the group standard and do it quickly once the poor behavior becomes evident. A slacking member will bring down the energy and fun level for the whole group.

Master Mind Groups create a win-win situation for all participants. New friendships develop and everyone grows because of the support and encouragement of the Master Mind Group.

Join a Mastermind Group! It is one of the most powerful ways to help you with a midlife career change.