Sunday, March 2, 2014

Mastermind Groups: What The Hell Are They and Why Should I Join One?


It's a dark and stormy night in Philadelphia, 1752.  Benjamin Franklin sits at home procrastinating his work when he hears a knock at the door. He swings open the door to find a cloaked messenger standing in the doorway. In the messengers hand, a sealed envelope. "A message from a mister George Webb, sir", says the messenger as he hands Benjamin Franklin the letter. The rider then quickly mounts his horse and dashes off into the storm. 
Franklin takes a seat at his desk and flips over the letter. On the back is a seal from his dear friend and fellow Junto( mastermind group) member, George Webb. As he breaks the seal on the envelope, Franklin slides the letter out from the envelope and begins to read:

"Hey Ben! Just wanted to check up on you and make sure you're still on track to finish your kite experiment. Let me know if you need any help. 

Best,
G.W.

P.s.
Did you see miss Mary Lou down at the general store yesterday?? Have mercy."

Franklin then slides the letter into his desk and begins assembling his kite made from strips of cedar and a silk handkerchief. That very night Ol' Ben flys the kite in the storm thus performing his famous experiment. 

...Okay so maybe that's not EXACTLY how it went down...or maybe it is....

The point is this: without the support from his mastermind group, Benjamin Franklin never discovers that lightning and electricity are made up of the same elements, and we live in a much darker world.

Mastermind groups have been used throughout history by entrepreneurs as well as other highly driven people and have consistently led to the massive success of their members. 

So what is a mastermind group, or as Franklin and his team called it, Junto?

A mastermind IS:
-a group based on mutual improvement of its members
-composed of 3-5 people
-primarily aimed at bettering the lives of the members and also their communities. 
-group discussions include intellectual, personal, business, and community topics

A mastermind is NOT:
-a class
-a coaching
-and for that one crazy uncle who's always asking, a cult


Mastermind groups are designed as a support system that promotes accountability. A brain trust or success team if you will. Fellow members help brainstorm new concepts and keep each other focused and on track. Mastermind groups are melting pots for well defined goals as well as fresh ideas. Along with group-wide accountability, the members personal/business lives are set up to propel them farther than they could've imagined if going at it alone. 

Whether you find a local group or start one of your own, the benefits of a mastermind group are soaring. 

The world needs your 'kite experiment'. Find your group and go change the world. 

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

No comments:

Post a Comment