Mastermind Effect

According to Napoleon Hill the "Master Mind" can be defined as "Coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose". When I first began my seemingly endless search for the "right"answers to grow my business it seemed like there were obstacles onevery corner. I was plagued by indecision, procrastination, fear of taking risks, "bright shiny object syndrome", lack of money, lack of knowledge and so on. Being alone day in and day out allowed me to create all kinds of thoughts in my head that served no purpose. Sure, I was working like a dog, marketing like crazy but I didn't have anyinteraction with people who were going through the same types of things I was. Until I found a mastermind group.The idea of masterminding has been around for a hundred years andit's long been touted as one of the single best ways to see rapid success in your life. Why? Because the collective knowledge, expertise, ideas and encouragement of the many is far more powerful than the mind of one.

4 Benefits of Mastermind Groups

Specialized Knowledge

No one person knows it all, which is one of the most common reasonspeople fall short of their goal, or choose not to take chances. People believe they don't have the knowledge or required education toget where they want to be. The fact is, no successful individual hasbecome successful because he/she knew everything. Napoleon Hill talks about this at great length in Think and Grow Rich in the chapter on Specialized Knowledge. The most successful people are not the oneswho know how to do everything but the ones who know how to get peopleto do for them what they don't know. So, in a mastermind people are able to leverage the knowledge and strengths of everyone around them to move forward more quickly toward their own goals.

Definiteness of Purpose

Definiteness of purpose is a key to your success. If you do not knowwith absolute certainty what you want, you will never reach the levelof success that is possible. Mastermind groups offer knowledge, information, and direction. Members help you stay on track, call youout when you are not doing what you say you are going to do andgenerally serve as the more rational voice inside you to keep youreye on the prize. Do not underestimate the power of this.

Unlimited Experience

An individual who is trying to develop a strategy to grow her business for the first time has a high probability of failure becauseshe has finite experience. She has only what she currently knows toguide her. However, the mastermind group has infinite experience. It has years of combined experience, knowledge and insight you can drawfrom to accelerate your learning curve.

Group Energy

Many entrepreneurs struggle because they don't have consistentinteraction with their peers on a daily basis. They may work withclients and attend events a few times a month but working inisolation can be dangerous. Having a mastermind group that you arepart of on a weekly basis can keep you connected, help you to seethat your struggles are not unique, and that you can have outrageoussuccess even if your stumble once in a while. Mastermind groups keepus honest, keep us on track and encourage us to do more and be more.

Finding a Good Mastermind Group

I have been in some mastermind groups that were fantastic and othersthat were completely useless. Here are a few things I have learnedwhen it comes to choosing the right mastermind situation or leavingone that's not working.

1. The energy of the group has to be good. If the chemistry is wrong,if someone is always trying to dominate or you dread getting on thecall, you're in the wrong place. It can be a challenge to get a grouptogether that really clicks but it's certainly possible so don'tsettle.

2. The mastermind has to define its own rules. There have to be rulesthat everyone in the group agrees to such as how it will bestructured, rules for speaking, confidentiality, and attendance. A mastermind group where people rarely show up, don't engage, comeunprepared, and take the confidentiality part too loosely are toxic.Look for a group that is organized, requires attendance and has asolid structure. It will make it so much more successful for all involved.

3. The ultimate goal has to be the same for all. Each person willhave a specific goal of joining the mastermind but the collectivegoal of the group should be to help each individual member achievetheir goals and reach the level of success they desire. When thatbigger picture is kept in mind, everyone wins.

How do you find one to join? There are so many opportunities these days to join mastermind groups.They range in price from free (you could put your own together) tohundreds of thousands of dollars for high end groups. I recommendjust doing some research. In fact, you may find that your mentor hasa continuity program with a mastermind component to it. The key is to just find the right spot for you and don't give up until you do. Like mentoring, mastermind groups can have a profound impact on yoursuccess and even more importantly, how quickly you achieve it.

Success coach Melani Ward helps women entrepreneurs create thebusiness of their dreams so they can create more money, time and freedom in their lives. If you're ready to get more clients, havemore fun and make a whole lot more money in your small business, getyour FREE report "Proven Steps for Creating the Business Lifestyle ofYour Dreams" NOW at http://www.HotButtonCopy.comArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melani_Ward

Recruiting for Your Mastermind

A mastermind can begin with only two people. But where do you find more members? Try online forums, unemployment offices, look up old ambitious friends, invite a good, and positive leader that you know, attend seminars, go to a local Rich Dad club, or, go to an investment club. Here's an idea. Strike up a conversation with someone you know is also trying to put together a mastermind. Find a person who is positively out of step with the masses, and invite him/her. You could recruit a multilevel marketer who can actually get by exclusively on their MLM income.

You have to be a leader to recruit. Be the man or woman with a plan. Be personable. Be a coach. Even if you are a leader, with coach like skills, you will encounter negativity, fear, complacency, and my favorite: what are the guaranteed benefits and income? Some people are kinda out there.

Who do you want to recruit? I cannot say. Recruit people similar to you. People with similar goals. Here are some possible traits of potential mastermind members:
1) Driven 2) Ambitious 3) Audacious 4) Thorough planner 5) Good communicator 6) Thorough knowledge of the market(s) you are in 7) Has an excellent attitude 8) Entrepreneurial. Is already in business 9) Someone with good accomplishments, and wants financial independence. 10) Specialized knowledge

Don't kid yourself about the person's capacity, attitude, etc. You could take on a project, though.
Be fully prepared to follow through on your plans of developing your mastermind. Remember, a leader has a plan. So, make sure you are prepared to execute, and improve your plans, using the feedback from your mastermind.

David K Drews runs http://www.independentwealth.us a site that offers help in planning your escape from the rat race, and help with finding the best info and products for your financial journey. There is a chat room for recruiting for your mastermind.

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