How to Maximize Potential with Your Mastermind Group

If you are part of a mastermind group or thinking of joining, you may have some idea of what you would like to accomplish with your group, or perhaps you are just in it to see what happens. If you set some clear goals about what you would like to accomplish with the group and communicate them to your mastermind members, you will find you are able to contribute and receive more than simply going "with the flow"

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Two or more people willing to meet on a regular basis
• A set of goals you would like the group to help you accomplish
• Willingness to be open to others' suggestions and to give feedback
• A minimum of an hour to dedicate to the meeting
• Commitment on your part to stay with the group

1. 
    
   Got any?

   Before the meeting - part one:
   Grab your notes from the previous week and see what issues you feel need to be carried over. Are there questions you wanted to ask but did not get a chance? Are they still relevant today? Start a fresh list of items you wish to bring up tonight, beginning with these leftover "burning issues", then add to them additional thoughts and goals you would like to bring up tonight.

2. 
    
   Dress for Success

   Before the meeting - part two:
   Whether you are meeting in person or on the phone, make sure you are "dressed for success"! The power in presenting a positive image cannot be underestimated here. This is not so much for the benefit of the others but for you in bolstering your own confidence. The more confidence you have in the mastermind meeting, the more you will get out of it.

3. 
    
   Feedback Optional

   During the meeting:
   
   Most masterminds have a few minutes of socializing at the beginning of the call. Be sure to greet your fellow mastermind mateys warmly and with a genuine interest and concern about them. Hearing that you care matters, and will open up the group.
   
   When it is your turn to speak, try to get to the point as succinctly as you can without rambling. These meetings go by very quickly and you want to get to their feedback on your issues, not to ramble on about one issue for minutes on end. Take note of what your peers suggest and thank them for their contributin.
   
   When you give feedback, be short and to the point. If you do not have a specific suggestion or comment, you are always free to pass. Do not feel you have to say something when you have no relevant experience or knowledge to bring to the table.

4. 
    
   Review your notes

   After the meeting:
   Review your notes and decide on what goals you would like to accomplish before your next mastermind meeting. Re-writing your notes helps too to clarify and keep the meeting fresh in your mind. Be sure to review your list of goals daily to keep track of where you are and what you need to get done on a daily basis toward these goals.

Tips & Warnings

• Be willing to listen to feedback
• Know ahead of time what you need to ask for help with
• Give feedback only when relevant to your experience or knowledge
• Be mindful of the time and do not go over your allotted portion
• Confidentiality is a must! Do not discuss what goes on outside the meeting.
• Cultural and other barriers may exist.
• Agree before group starts to respect the other's work by not using or copying their ideas without permission
• If you commit and then drop out this could tarnish your reputation

Resources

• Mastermind Group Resources Blog
• Team Building
• Passion for Business