Have you ever joined a really good mastermind that become a rising tide force in your business?
Mastermind groups have become quite popular in entrepreneurial communities. When run well, a mastermind can accelerate outcomes and overcome one of the biggest challenges faced by many expert-based business owners — the isolation effect. The isolation effect happens when a business owner, who often runs their business from a home office, doesn’t have the support and momentum that a team generates. Many business owners end up making poor short term growth decisions because the people they surround themselves with are not successful business owners. So they play it safe. Or they ask for advice from people who just can’t imagine a more successful business.
But when you join an aligned mastermind program, an entrepreneur has the opportunity to AMPLIFY results!
I love masterminds. The connection. The bond. The results.
There is something magical that happens in a mastermind group (at least the way I run the IGNITE Mastermind) that just doesn’t happen when left to our own devices. It’s even difficult to access in private coaching. In my own mastermind experiences I’ve uncovered gems around marketing, leadership and client fulfillment that I never knew existed. I’ve participated in mastermind groups of one form or another for over 30 years I’ve been able to accomplish goals that felt overwhelming and access marketing advice that would have required 10 times the investment I paid. I’ve also facilitated mastermind groups for my clients for over 15 years and have found a unique way to bring power-house people together that sparks momentum, confidence and the inspiration to accomplish HUGE goals.
Over these years, these twelve factors of success have played out over and over again. I’ll lay them out here but please note that not everyone experiences all twelve and some people have even more payoff than they ever imagined.
1. It’s an Incubator
A well-run mastermind is a safe place full of support and tools that become a catalyst for growth and success. When you are in the right mastermind for you, you’ll find your mastermind is your “idea incubator” that helps you flush out the best path to success. Don’t be surprised if you don’t uncover a more powerful vision and start to evolve your business beyond what you ever believed was possible. In the last mastermind I ran with clients, one of the members started with one business growth goal and through the process saw how to create a more profitable business by changing the way she delivered her offering. That’s the incubation process!
2. Rising Tide Theory
John F Kennedy originally coined the phrase, “A rising tide lifts all the boats.” Often your mastermind will become your rising tide. As each person achieves bigger and more exciting goals, success infuses into the group and inspires others. It often creates a “give back” energy where people can’t wait to give back to each other. Just remember to ride the waves with YOUR mastermind.
3. The Third Mind
As Napoleon Hill explained in his book, Think And Grow Rich, a mastermind activates a “third mind” where more than two people are gathered a new level of creativity, idea generation and confidence are activated. In the “Third Mind” you’ll access ideas and clarity you wouldn’t normally access on your own. Call it brainstorming if you like, the Third Mind is a potent creativity tool. One of our Amplify Mastermind members found this happening for her in our live retreat as she realized she wanted to start a podcast. During those 2 1/2 days we brainstormed her theme, her title and a few of her first episodes. It was launched within a few short weeks.
4. Access to Proven Resources
An often time-draining and frustrating element of success is locating proven resources and tools. But your mastermind can shorten the cycle by supplying access to coveted resources like virtual contractors, automation and AI tools, and other experts you might need to accomplish new goals.
5. Feedback
Sometimes you just need some input to get out of your own way and see things clearly. Your mastermind (and your coach) can provide a safe place to get feedback BEFORE you spend countless hours and invest big money on your next business growth steps.
6. Accountability
Left to your own devices, isn’t it easy to talk yourself OUT of a goal or project. But when you claim your bold goal in front of others (who have your back and see your success even when you can’t) its not so easy to backslide and fall behind. A mastermind can help you stay accountable in a loving way so you don’t fall prey to your doubts and fancy procrastination techniques.
7. Connection
An outcome of a mastermind is often the lifelong, heart-felt friendships that are created. When people go through intense life experiences, often they forge bonds that last a lifetime. A mastermind is a place where people SEE YOU and that means they believe in you – so deep ties are built. Not to mention how valuable it is to have people you trust to reach out to on days that you are feeling isolated or have a big list of doubts surfacing!
8. Collaboration Opportunities
Often a mastermind will provide opportunities to support each other with cross-referrals, visibility on podcasts or stages, promoting each other’s offers or even co-creating new offers based on your complimentary skills. The key is to stay curious and open to the members who already serve your ideal audience.
9. Better Success Habits
An intangible benefit, but highly valuable, is learning from the complimentary skills of others in the group. Often a group will have a lot of diversity in skill, expertise and even daily success habits. Learning how others accomplish tasks that are difficult for you can be invaluable! I remember my client Ira struggling with implementation and quick decision making. So we came up with a plan for him to study how others in the mastermind were able to accomplish more faster. Within a few weeks he had new daily success habits by “modeling” what worked for other members of the group.
10. Accountability
There will often be times that you hit an energy “wall”, get distracted or even fall prey to some debilitating procrastination. If you are in a good mastermind, and you’ve shared your goals and dreams, your mastermind can be there to help you get back on track. Even better is if it is led by a highly successful coach that won’t let you stay derailed — and holds you accountable to your priorities.
11. Challenge Your Limits
Way too often the reason an entrepreneur hasn’t achieved their goals lies in their limiting beliefs, recurring fears and blind spots. When you are in a coach-facilitated mastermind, they can often see what you can’t see for yourself (especially your coach!) Take full advantage of this benefit to see what’s really in the way through the lens of others who are not stuck in your problem with you.
12. Acceleration
Call it momentum or acceleration, but a mastermind should be a success catalyst for you. From accessing proven growth strategies from your mentor coach to learning what’s really working within the group members, the momentum generated is contagious. Tap into the mindset, beliefs and thinking of those in the group that are experiencing expansion and your mastermind will become YOUR secret growth tool.
Now, the key is picking a mastermind that is ALIGNED with you and your goals. A bad mastermind can end up draining you and your motivation. But an aligned mastermind can be the fuel you need to accomplish more than you ever believed was possible!
So here’s the big question for you:
What would you do differently if you were in a mastermind that was challenging YOU to amplify your success?
I’d love to hear what you would want from a mastermind or what you are looking for in YOUR next business mastermind! If you are looking for a mastermind this year, check out my IGNITE Mastermind to see if it is aligned for you. We only accept applications twice a year for limited spots so apply quickly if you are interested!
