Guest post by Evelyn Bourne | Featured in my free eBook Get Your Business Straight
The world is moving so fast right now, and as an Internet entrepreneur you may sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed at the pace of change. If you're a business woman who runs your company from your home office, you may sometimes feel isolated from the world despite the fact that you are connecting all day with customers and clients and vendors.
But what if you had a group of trusted confidantes that you could consult with about how things are going with your business, ask for advice, share your knowledge and get feedback on your plans? A Mastermind group is all of those things and more. While the basic concept of the Mastermind group has been around for centuries, Napoleon Hill, author of, Think and grow Rich, and The Law of Success, popularized the concept in the early 20th century and it has become part of mainstream business practices.
The Mastermind principle basically states that when a group of like-minded people come together with a common purpose combining their energy and ideas towards a common goal there develops an, ". . . invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind [the master mind]." So, this Mastermind, this "third mind" that emerges out of the harmonious cooperation of two or more individuals, is the key to achieving more than any of you could on your own. Whether you join or start a Mastermind group here are three strategies for making sure that your group is successful:
1. Clarify expectations
Each person may come to the group with completely different ideas about what a Mastermind group is and what they want out of it. If everyone gets their ideas out on the table and discusses them freely you can come to agreement on how you will operate your group. Clarify the roles and responsibilities of the group members and the structure and flow of each meeting.
2. Establish common goals for the group
Even as each individual has goals that they are working towards, the group should come into agreement on the common goals of the collective. This is a prime example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.
3. Be transparent
Harboring hidden agendas will hinder the free flow of positive energy needed to keep the group moving forward. You must be able to trust your Mastermind group as you should always be trustworthy. Each member should agree to keep everything discussed in their Mastermind group as strictly confidential.
Participating in a Mastermind group could be just what you need to fuel a breakthrough in your business and in your personal growth. Meeting on a regular basis with other business women who have similar goals and aspirations can provide each of you with a sense of accountability for the goals you set, support for your ideas and a place for you to share your knowledge and expertise while you soak up the wisdom of your colleagues.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Evelyn Bourne is a Freelance writer and blogger who specializes in creating compelling web content that converts to higher sales, makes visitors come back for more, and keeps you visible in the search engines. For SEO articles, eBooks, White Papers or special reports visit, http://contentcreation.wordpress.com today.
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Showing posts with label third mind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label third mind. Show all posts
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Three Key Tips for a Successful Mastermind Group
" Health, happiness and success depend upon the fighting spirit of each person. The big thing is not what happens to us in life - but what we do about what happens to us ." George Allen
I am always looking for solutions. The concept of the mastermind group is vividly described by Napoleon Hill in "Think and Grow Rich". Consider the people in your life that are supportive of you. Identify the people willing to give you honest feedback and genuinely want the best for you. Who are the mentors, close friends or professional associates that you trust?
You might already have a support system, people you turn to for advice and to confide in. Do you have a network of people you speak with about aspects of your life? The mastermind group will give you accountability and support on the goal that you are working toward. Napoleon Hill defined the "Master Mind" as "coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose".
Think about the direction you are heading toward, are your goals primarily personal or professional? This affects the type of people chosen to be in your group. The most successful people realize they do not have all of the answers and look to others for guidance and insight as they work toward specific goals.
The next aspect to consider is the purpose of the mastermind group. One type of mastermind group is solely designed to help you reach your goals. A second alternative is to have the people on the group working toward the same goal or project. The other option is to have a group of people that each have goals and they use the group for support in reaching their individual goals. Napoleon Hill states "No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind [the master mind]." The benefit of working toward goals, no matter which type of group you choose, is the insight and accountability you receive from the other members of the group.
Three key tips increase the success of the mastermind group include specific goals for each group member, trusting the group members and having ground rules.
1. Have a common goal and meaning for the group. The mastermind group's purpose is to advise as a way to help each group member reach peak potential. The bonus is getting a group of people with differing perspectives. Each member is a necessary part of the group offering insights that could help you reach your goals sooner than if you were just working on your own. Each person's unique experience and perspective will propel you toward attaining your goals at a faster pace than working toward your goal alone.
2. Trusting the other group members is necessary in a mastermind group. The group offers accountability and support. Harmony will develop as the group forms and each person is committed to work toward their goal as well as being a support for the other members of the mastermind group. Because each person is working toward their own goal as they support the other members of the group, this creates an incentive to be fully vested in the group. Creating a safe and healthy group dynamic is necessary for it to function effectively.
3. Developing ground rules that are agreed to by all group members clarifies expectations. Although many mastermind groups are lay-led without a facilitator, developing norms helps to build trust and commitment. Another option is having a leader who will facilitate the discussion and coordinate the group.
Mastermind groups can take many different forms. Some of these include King Arthur's Round Table and his advisers, a council, board of directors and support group meetings. As a result of Napoleon Hill, mastermind groups are becoming more mainstream.
You are more likely to reach your goals, and at a faster pace, being part of a mastermind group than you are alone. Take the time to determine your goals, choose like minded people you trust and that have a willingness to participate, then take the next step to developing the group. The payoff will be well worth the time and energy committed to this unique opportunity.
Activity: If were ready to join a mastermind group, what would your primary goal be? Personal or business? Think of people that you know that have been a support for you, whether family, teachers, friends or associates. Consider how these people supported you. A mastermind group can be as small as two people. When forming one it is best to have an even number of members for balance.
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About the expert(s): Loren Fogelman, the success expert, shows you how to master the mindset to grow your business with confidence. Now is the time to easily get past the hurdles about marketing your business and have clients be attracted to you.
Receive Loren’s popular FREE "Tapping Into Emotional Freedom" available at: => http://mindsetformarketingsuccess.com
I am always looking for solutions. The concept of the mastermind group is vividly described by Napoleon Hill in "Think and Grow Rich". Consider the people in your life that are supportive of you. Identify the people willing to give you honest feedback and genuinely want the best for you. Who are the mentors, close friends or professional associates that you trust?
You might already have a support system, people you turn to for advice and to confide in. Do you have a network of people you speak with about aspects of your life? The mastermind group will give you accountability and support on the goal that you are working toward. Napoleon Hill defined the "Master Mind" as "coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose".
Think about the direction you are heading toward, are your goals primarily personal or professional? This affects the type of people chosen to be in your group. The most successful people realize they do not have all of the answers and look to others for guidance and insight as they work toward specific goals.
The next aspect to consider is the purpose of the mastermind group. One type of mastermind group is solely designed to help you reach your goals. A second alternative is to have the people on the group working toward the same goal or project. The other option is to have a group of people that each have goals and they use the group for support in reaching their individual goals. Napoleon Hill states "No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind [the master mind]." The benefit of working toward goals, no matter which type of group you choose, is the insight and accountability you receive from the other members of the group.
Three key tips increase the success of the mastermind group include specific goals for each group member, trusting the group members and having ground rules.
1. Have a common goal and meaning for the group. The mastermind group's purpose is to advise as a way to help each group member reach peak potential. The bonus is getting a group of people with differing perspectives. Each member is a necessary part of the group offering insights that could help you reach your goals sooner than if you were just working on your own. Each person's unique experience and perspective will propel you toward attaining your goals at a faster pace than working toward your goal alone.
2. Trusting the other group members is necessary in a mastermind group. The group offers accountability and support. Harmony will develop as the group forms and each person is committed to work toward their goal as well as being a support for the other members of the mastermind group. Because each person is working toward their own goal as they support the other members of the group, this creates an incentive to be fully vested in the group. Creating a safe and healthy group dynamic is necessary for it to function effectively.
3. Developing ground rules that are agreed to by all group members clarifies expectations. Although many mastermind groups are lay-led without a facilitator, developing norms helps to build trust and commitment. Another option is having a leader who will facilitate the discussion and coordinate the group.
Mastermind groups can take many different forms. Some of these include King Arthur's Round Table and his advisers, a council, board of directors and support group meetings. As a result of Napoleon Hill, mastermind groups are becoming more mainstream.
You are more likely to reach your goals, and at a faster pace, being part of a mastermind group than you are alone. Take the time to determine your goals, choose like minded people you trust and that have a willingness to participate, then take the next step to developing the group. The payoff will be well worth the time and energy committed to this unique opportunity.
Activity: If were ready to join a mastermind group, what would your primary goal be? Personal or business? Think of people that you know that have been a support for you, whether family, teachers, friends or associates. Consider how these people supported you. A mastermind group can be as small as two people. When forming one it is best to have an even number of members for balance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
About the expert(s): Loren Fogelman, the success expert, shows you how to master the mindset to grow your business with confidence. Now is the time to easily get past the hurdles about marketing your business and have clients be attracted to you.
Receive Loren’s popular FREE "Tapping Into Emotional Freedom" available at: => http://mindsetformarketingsuccess.com
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