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Tell me... what is this "Mastermind" thing about?
When I first heard some people use the term “mastermind”, I had no idea what they meant.
It sounded like a cult or something.
But then I read Napoleon Hill’s book “Think and Grow Rich” and discovered what a MASTERMIND was – and I wanted one! The only problem was I didn’t know how to get in a mastermind.
It sounded so mysterious. After all, I was just slaving away in my cramped office all alone, trying to figure out how to pay the bills and have the occasional adventure. And there were so few people doing what I was trying to do back then. Creating a mastermind seemed impossible.
Then something happened out of the blue… I heard of some people who were focussing on setting big goals and they were having a conference. On a hunch I booked the tickets and committed to going. I knew no-one there. And actually, I met very few people that I had much in common with. Except for one person. Katherine inspired me. And so we started talking by Skype and email after the conference. She was based in Australia so meeting up was not that easy.
The interaction with Katherine – and the power of Skype to talk for free and add in others made a big difference. I did not feel so alone anymore. And my fledgling Adventure Coaching business started to get off the ground. I had new confidence.
We may not have called it a Mastermind, but actually that was what it was. And I was to find out a lot more with my next Mastermind group.
I enrolled in a top end programme in California where Masterminding was part of the deal. We had a group of 5 of us that met each week on the phone or Skype over a period of 3 months. We focussed on our goals, encouraged each other provided brainstorming advice and a kick up the rear when it was needed. This was my first real ‘organised’ mastermind group.
We knew we were up for big things… and lo and behold they showed up. Each week we had the highs and the lows. And over a short time – 3 months is really not that long – we saw incredible success. That’s when I learned about the “osmosis effect” of a Mastermind [osmosis: a gradual, often unconscious process of assimilation or absorption].
In other words just being around like-minded people who were at your level (or above) seemed to propel you up higher and higher. You’re not quite sure how it happens… and sometimes you’re not even aware of it. But then you wake up one day and you’re at a completely different level.. and so is your life.
It seems that the key is to surround yourself with people who are having success and you will be pulled up higher.. and have great success yourself.
And lets get clear about “success”. In fact, the greatest Mastermind moments were not so much the tales of heroic conquer. It was actually subdued moments of honesty, where trust was strong. When a group member got honest about what was NOT working. That kind of vulnerability was the real source of growth and huge opportunities came out of a willingness to go there.
I am still involved in Mastermind Groups – it has been a few years now and I have learned a lot about the groups that work and those that bomb. The groups that really rock have been well focussed with strong commitment, trust and openness. And the results of those mastermind experiences have been huge for my business.
It has also been huge as a way to spend less time in the office and more time out doing what I love. My mastermind team has helped me find creative ways to earn more. And they have reminded me about what really matters and kept me honest. From being complete strangers, some of these people have become friends for life.
REMEMBER YOUR EVEREST GOAL?
OK, most of you will remember that I encouraged you to set an “Everest sized Goal”. A Goal so big that you get excited and a little bit clammy just thinking about it. Not terrified, but so excited you probably can’t sit down. And if you don’t quite have “it” yet. Don’t panic it will be there, waiting its time. Until.. KAPOW! it has you.
Now if you really want to turbo-charge that process, you need to share your Everest Goal with people. And the best people to share it with is your mastermind group.
Now this might sound scary, but you can’t imagine how powerful this can be, for a whole bunch of reasons…
First, you’re basically programming the other people’s brains so they can be on the lookout for ways to help you reach your Goal.
Second, there’s the whole accountability thing – by sharing your Goal you’re committing to it. This is strong medicine.
Third, the group can act as a mirror.. and help you further refine your vision. And that’s just the start…
There are a lot more stories I could tell you about my mastermind moments. And the amazing contacts I now have all over the planet. In particular, I do want to thank Jeff Walker for the enormous influence and help he has been. And yes, he put me in a mastermind group as part of our work together that has made a big difference.
Now over to you. Do you want to be part of a mastermind that is committed to Everest Goals?
If so, then get on the hot list by giving us your details at the top of this page.
For those already on the list - I am loading up more on this page over the next week so keep your eye on it!
Sarah Wilson
Adventure Coach
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