If you are interested in joining a mastermind group, one of the most important things to ensure your success through the program is you find a group that is right for you. But how do you go about doing this?
Stay away from your industry
While this might sound counterproductive as other members in your industry might give you some insight to what they are doing differently, the goal of a mastermind group is to come up with new ideas. Some of the best ideas can come from people who aren’t even in the same industry as you. They can help spark creativity or offer new perspectives on problems where someone in your industry might just offer a solution you could have come up with.
Find a group of people committed to the success of the group
One of the easiest ways a mastermind group can fail is if it is a bunch of entrepreneurs all focused on themselves. In many cases, a lot of members in these failed groups are trying to get their business off the ground and aren’t willing to help others. In order to succeed you must find a group where everyone is committed to helping out others, and aren’t broadcasting that they are only there for themselves.
Find a meeting structure that works
Different mastermind groups have different ways of structuring their sessions, so try to find one that works for you or one that feels like you will be able to actively participate in. Some groups have a beginning, middle and end structure where everyone gets a chance to speak their minds during the middle “hot seat” portion of the meeting. Others just have networking events where you are free to meet with and talk with whomever you wish. There is no right or wrong way to hold a mastermind group, just find whatever you think works for you.
Listen to the word of mouth
A Mastermind group is quite a commitment and the quality of the group is something that you need to identify before making that commitment. Listen to word of mouth from local business people or hear about the success people have had by being involved in a mastermind group. Listen for things that appeal to you such as the culture of the group, the way conversations occur, etc. If you are one who values privacy then maybe hear about groups that keep their conversations under NDA so there is a sense of security when it comes to your brainstorming. The experiences of others can help greatly when trying to determine what mastermind group is right for you.
