Master What? What is a Mastermind?

There is a HUGE buzz going around right now about masterminds.

Have you heard about them? No worries if you have not you would not be alone. And if you are in a mastermind, high five! There are so many versions and takes on what a mastermind is and can be. I want to share a bit about masterminds and how they might help you to take your practice to the next level.

What is a Mastermind?

Let’s start with a bit of a history lesson about masterminds and where this whole idea came from. Have you read the book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill? This book was written in 1937 and has been one of the go-to business books of many successful entrepreneurs. In the book, Hill talks about 13 principles for being successful in any areas of business. The number one principle is the Mastermind Principle. How Hill describes a Mastermind principle as, “The coordination of knowledge and effort between two or more people who work towards a definite purpose in a spirit of harmony…no two minds ever come together without thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force, which may be likened to a third mind”, also known as, the Mastermind.”

Don’t overthink it! To me a mastermind is a support & problem solving group of driven individuals. I didn’t want to use the word entrepreneurs because it can be masterminding around any topic from work, personal, or even health. Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”.

Check in with yourself – are the people that you are spending the most time with helping you grow and take your business and your life to the next level?

Joining Vs Creating Your Own

Now that you are feeling inspired to be a part of a mastermind there are two big questions to ask. Should you join a pre existing group or create your own? There is not perfect or correct answer. It will totally be dependant on what fits your specific needs right in this moment.

The second principle in Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill is to know very clearly where you want to go. Where you are right now in building your practice, do you know exactly what you are needing and where you want to go next? If so, your mastermind might need more of an accountability aspect to hold you to this very clear and driven direction. If you are needing to create your path your mastermind might need to be more creative and allow for more in depth questioning of your path.

Either direction, make sure you have a few some guidelines on how the group will be run so you know exactly what you are walking into.

Give More than You Get

Lastly, open your heart. In all relationships, starting with an open heart and walking in with the mindset of helping you will be floored how much you will actually received back. Each time you meet with your mastermind mind group walk in being fully present and no distractions. You might not be able to help with any issues your group members are going through, and that ok. Sometimes just having the support of the group is truly the most valuable part of the group.

Starting a practice can be scary and lonely. Also being a practitioner in practice can be lonely, and that’s why being a part of a community can offer so much support and be that sounding board. As you work on finding your mastermind group, join me on the Fearless Practitioners Facebook Page. You may just find some other practitioners to mastermind with in here!