How to Start a Mastermind Group

A Mastermind group is different from a social club or other networking organization in that it is created with a goal in mind – and holds its members accountable for achieving that goal. The concept was first introduced by Napoleon Hill in his groundbreaking book on personal success – Think and Grow Rich.

It is relatively easy to start a Mastermind group and there are many reasons you might want to, such as:

• Increased access to resources
• Reaching goals in your business and personal life
• Getting past obstacles, ”mental blocks” or anything else standing in the way of your success or happiness
• Specific on-point help with a particular task, with accountability

So then how do you start a Mastermind group? Since the whole purpose of the group is to bring together the power of collective thought to accomplish a given goal, you must first decide what the goal and or focus of the group will be. Are you a small businessperson who needs help with marketing? A medical practitioner who needs to brainstorm on best practice solutions? Or maybe you desire a group not related to business at all but targeted at a social or local political issue. Then of course you need to decide where to meet. While these days it is possible to have a Mastermind meeting online – there is still something about face-to- face brainstorming that gives the Mastermind group its greatest power. Usually a community meeting hall or house of worship will be available for your group meeting. If it is business related, maybe the conference room of one of the members. Whatever location you choose, it should be quiet – and private – not a restaurant or other public place. A Mastermind group meets to work – to get things done, while you may make great friends -it is not a social outing.

Other things you will need to consider when forming a Mastermind group are:

• How to get members? – This depends on the focus of the group you have decided upon. If it is business related, try ads in the business section of your local newspaper or Chamber of Commerce, or newsletter of a related trade organization. You can also use, Facebook, Myspace, Craig’s List, Meetup, or any number of other social networking sites, as well as “old-fashioned” methods like posting flyers in your local library, community center, or coffee houses.
• What size should the group be? – Up to you. A typical group is 3- 6 persons, but a Mastermind group can be as few as two people.
• How often will you meet? Weekly is best, for an hour to 90 minutes.
• Commitment and confidentiality -. No matter how long you choose to have your Mastermind group meetings, or how often, it is important that you get a commitment up front from people to attend each and every meeting – or your cause is lost. It is also important that people feel they can discuss anything in the group in confidence and it will not be shared outside of the group, especially as it may relate to propriety business practices. Many groups ask their members to sign a Non-discloser agreement (NDA).

You do not need to register your group as any kind of “official entity”, collect dues or anything like that. In fact, in its truest sense, the traditional Mastermind group does not charge any fees, or have any “officers” but is created in an egalitarian philosophy for the good of the whole.

Mastermind Groups

It’s an old adage –

“Two Heads Are Better than One.”

From group therapy – to brainstorming on that time critical proposal, the benefits of collective thinking have been well established. In any endeavor or field, one of the surest ways to achieve success is the creation or utilization of a Mastermind group.

The concept of the Mastermind Group was introduced by Napoleon Hill, known for his  best selling book Think and Grow Rich.  In the now classic motivational tome, Hill said,

“No two minds ever come together without it thereby creating a third, invisible intangible force.”

While written over 70 years ago, those words ring just as true today, and Hill like his inspiration Andrew Carnegie is generally recognized as one of the originators of what we now call personal success or motivational literature.

Today, Mastermind groups are created to achieve a specific task, or agenda, or exist as a kind of  “think tank” organization put together to serve the benefit of everyone who participates in the group. At its most basic level – the advantage of the Mastermind group is that of any kind of group interaction – perspective. We all know the advantage of sounding an idea off of another person. But beyond that, there are many more advantages to joining or forming a Mastermind Group.

Once you join up with a Mastermind group you:

• Become engaged with a group of people dedicated to your personal growth and success.
• Gain access to a network of resources that you could not leverage on your own.
• Receive feedback and accountability from the group that helps you remain focused on the task at hand, or your personal goals
• Make up for your weaknesses. When forming or joining a group, look for one that has the skills that you lack.

What really makes Mastermind groups different than other kinds of trade or networking groups is the idea of accountability. Accountability was the cornerstone of Hill’s original concept of the Mastermind group. Most groups set up what are called accountability partners – a person to whom you have to answer to – if you set a goal, and do not follow through.

Today, with social networking, it is easier than ever to form or find Mastermind groups or like-minded professionals to add to your success and personal growth. However, keep in mind, as with any kind of success driven activity, you

“reap what you sow”

– and will only get out of a Mastermind group what you put into it. Be prepared to participate, give you own thoughts; let the others in the group benefit from your strengths and experiences, and you’ll all be on a collective road to success.