Mastermind Your Way to Success - Henry Ford & Thomas Edison Belonged to a Mastermind, Why Not You?

There's a popular saying that says that two heads are better than one. The truth to this old adage is one of the reasons that there are more people than ever participating in a popular new concept called masterminding.

If you haven't participated in one yet, consider finding a mastermind group to increase your chances of success. In one of the most influential business books ever written, Think and Grow Rich author Napoleon Hill wrote "No two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind."

Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone (of Firestone tire fame) and John Burroughs (a famous American naturalist) were co-members of a mastermind group. Their legacies are testament to the power of this invisible, intangible force.

In a mastermind group, your peers give you feedback, help you brainstorm new possibilities and set up accountability structures that keep you focused and on track. By participating you create a community of supportive colleagues who brainstorm together to move each individual and the group to new heights.

Additional benefits of joining a mastermind include: clarity, leveraging the group's ability to produce new and better ideas; challenge; help with decision making; a supportive network, both in mastermind meetings and outside them; new friendships; the ability to tap the experience of others; increased confidence; progress in your business and personal life and a decreased sense of isolation that pervades our technological culture, especially solopreneurs and small business people.

Groups can meet either in person, or by phone. Schedules vary, some meet twice a year, others twice a month. A commitment to the length of the mastermind group is always expected, because like most relationships, it takes time to bond, and to trust others as you help each other move rapidly towards your goals. Most masterminds require a minimal commitment of three months. There is little tolerance for missing a meeting, because of the knowledge that all participants add to creating this powerful, "invisible, intangible force." Group numbers are often limited, which allows members to bond and work deeply on their goals and challenges in a small group environment. Lastly, participants are asked to sign a confidentiality agreement to protect the privacy of every participant.

Intrigued about the concept of mastermind, wanting to join the ranks of Ford, Edison and Firestone? To determine whether or not now is the right time to join a mastermind, ask yourself the following questions:

Are you ready to grow personally and professionally?

Are you looking for a supportive and encouraging community of like-minded folks?

Are you ready and motivated to focus more on your life and/or business?

Are you willing to invest everything it takes to create the life and business that you want?

Can you commit to meeting at a regular time and participating full out?

Does your desire for a fuller life exceed your fear of change?

Are you committed to being supportive, and to keeping the confidences of other members of the group?

Are you willing to both ask for help, learn from your peers and to give as much as you receive?

If your answers to most of these questions are yes, then consider joining a mastermind. You won't regret it.

Kathy Santini, the CEO of Savvy About Success knows that success leaves clues, making it easy to model and replicate. She takes the mystery out of success by showing success-oriented individuals and business owners how to be more successful by teaching them what successful people know and do.

As a coach/educator, Kathy offers coaching, group coaching and mastermind programs, and hosts teleseminars and telesummits on the subject of success.

To learn more about her offerings, to subscribe to her weekly Ezine, full of success tips or to get your own copy of her FREE report, 101 Ways to Become More Successful - Learn What Successful People Know and Do visit http://SavvyAboutSuccess.com

Kathy's expertise has been profiled in Canada's national newspaper, The Globe and Mail, on Canada's national broadcaster, CBC Radio; in newspapers across North America and on radio stations across Canada. She is a former coaching columnist for The Business Examiner Newspaper and Exceptionalife Magazine, has written guest columns and articles for various publications and been a guest on numerous TV programs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathy_Santini

Why You Need a Mastermind

All large corporations have a Board of Directors to be sure the company stays true to their mission, hits their numbers and fulfills their responsibility to stockholders. Small businesses (even sole-proprietorships) need them too. But usually, only those small businesses who accept private funding (from banks, angel investors, venture capitalists) have outsiders on their Board of Directors. A professional Board of Directors may not always create a happy, supportive, safe environment for business owners to turn to for problem solving, brainstorming, or even feedback.

On the other hand, we all need a sounding board, experts on our side, and a safe haven in which to ask for and receive help and advice. Every small business owner, CEO, or entrepreneur (in my opinion) must have a Board of Advisors. The easiest and fastest way to put one together is to join/create a Mastermind Group where each member gets and gives equal doses of advice from the group. I wanted to share with you my top ten reasons why you need one.

1. In a Mastermind Group the agenda belongs to the group and each person's participation is key. Peers give each other feedback, help each other brainstorm new possibilities, and set up accountability structures that keep each other focused and on track. They create a community of supportive colleagues who will brainstorm together to move each member of the group to new heights.

2. Each member gains tremendous insight, which can improve their business and personal life. A Mastermind Group is a powerful influence and resource.

3. The group is a golden opportunity to interact and collaborate with likeminded people you trust in a non-competitive environment.

4. Be part of a distinct community - a tribe. It is an instant and valuable professional support network. You get to team up with people who are better than you at some area of business or experience - people you can learn from.

5. You will find and attract people who can help and support you - good match for the long term growth and success of your business.

6. It helps you establish a strong personal foundation and see beyond what you can see yourself.

7. Share business models with each other and brainstorm with people who are already on the same wavelength. You get a sense of shared endeavor - that there are others out there!

8. You can walk away with a gem/perspective changed from each meeting - there's no wasted time or energy.

9. Experience, skill and confidence develop from the Mastermind Groups' support freeing you to take more risks and reach for bigger goals and dreams.

10. The Mastermind Group will help you design your business (and your life) to be the way you want them to be, not as you've been told things should be.


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About the expert(s): Business Accelerator, KERRI SALLS, President of Breakthrough Enterprise, LLC, works with solo-professional achievers: entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, consultants and solo professionals, providing proven systems and strategies to grow and thrive in any economy. Check out http://www.solopreneur-blueprint.com to receive 3 free reports every solopreneur needs: You Too Can Build a Business That Makes You Money as a Consultant or Solopreneur; 100 Tips for Solopreneurs & Consultants To Survive and Grow In a Recession; Plan Time to Plan.