The Mastermind of One...

Trying to figure out that next step? Consider a MasterMind of One

     Do you have a great idea for a new business, project or product but just can’t figure out how to make it work? Are you 100% (or at least 65%) convinced that your idea is a winning one? The problem is ideas never amount to success unless they are implemented. And here in lies the problem. You have no idea what to do next.
     This is a problem I run into constantly. Often times thinking about my idea only makes the problem worse because I have this tendency to expand my idea rather than shrink my idea into actionable items for today. Instead of thinking about how to start I imagine world wide distribution, celebrity endorsements and shaking hands with Oprah in front of a live studio audience. Suddenly the task seems to daunting and before I know it that incredible million dollar idea slips into the abyss for eternity.
     Perhaps your difficulty is a step removed from the dilemma just described. Maybe your challenge is the idea itself. All you know is that you don’t want what you have now. You are convinced that implementation will not be a problem. You just aren’t able to come up with any viable options.

Does any of that sound the least bit familiar to you?
     We all experience these types of situations on a regular basis. It is a normal process of expansion. It also the biggest cause of frustration, doubt and fear for most people in search of something better.

     That is why it is so important to put systems into place that will help give you direction and guidance. The need for this assistance is so great that the entire business coaching industry has been founded to fill that need. The number one objective for any business coach is to help their clients figure out “what to do next.” If you do not have a coach now you should look one up. (I have several coaches now and always will – and oh, by the way, it is very likely that every successful person you have ever aspired to be has one too.)

     Many successful professionals rely on mentors to help guide them through their lives and careers. The mentor/mentee relationship is a little less formal. The objectives are a lot broader. Dictionary.com defines mentor as, “a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.” You may work alongside your mentor every day or you may call your mentor every couple of months to ask a question or to get feedback or guidance. According to Oprah Winfrey, “A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.”

     Another effective solution is Masterminding. Mastermind groups are forming all around the world. Business people with similar goals and ideals gather together and discuss ways to further their projects, products, or businesses.

According to Karyn Greenstreet, author How to Start a For-Profit Mastermind Group:

“There is synergy of energy, commitment, and excitement that participants bring to a Mastermind Group. The beauty of Mastermind Groups is that participants raise the bar by challenging each other to create and implement goals, brainstorm ideas, and support each other with total honesty, respect and compassion. Mastermind participants act as catalysts for growth, devil’s advocates and supportive colleagues.”

     I am a huge advocate of Masterminds, however groups of this nature could take months to form, and even longer to develop into synergized catalysts for growth - especially if you are still searching for that initial idea.

Well, believe it or not, there is a way to streamline the Mastermind Process.

    Better still you can invite some of the smartest and most influential people in any field depending on your specific need and they will show up every time without fail for free.

      This practice I have used myself on many occasions and have suggested it to many clients with consistent results. The technique I recommend is a slight adaptation from the Invisible Mastermind developed and written about by Napolean Hill in his all time best selling book Think and Grow Rich.
I call my technique MasterMind of One and here is how it works:

Step One: Define your problem

Having a problem is not enough. If you want to solve your problem you must be able to define your problem. If you can’t define your problem, remember your sources of power and ask yourself, “Is this a Time problem, Money problem or Energy problem?”

If this is an implementation problem then ask yourself, “What do I want my final outcome to look like?” “What parts do I have now and what parts are still missing?” (Remember; some parts may be independent of others so if you eventually need all the parts don’t worry about the order in which you develop them)

Step Two: Create your invitation list

This is the fun part. Imagine you somehow got a hold of God’s Rolodex and suddenly you had access to everyone in history. Who would you want to ask for help with this problem? Who do you respect and consider being the expert in the field for the issue at hand?

(Here is a list of some of my favorites: Napolean Hill; Bob Proctor; Stephen Covey; Wayne Dyer; Michael Port; Timothy Ferriss; Steve Little; Tom Peters; Sun Tzu; Joe Vitale; Jeffery Gitomer; Jack Canfield, Keith Ferrazzi, Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Jim Rohn, Tony Robbins, Dan Kennedy, Bill Glazer, Frank Rumbauskas and others…)

From your invitation list choose the 6 most relevant advisors to your current situation. I find that six is a good number. Less than six may limit your solution options and more than six can become a little hard to manage. If you are having a hard time narrowing the list this is a good time to practice using your intuition.

Step Three: Gather up your invitees

Go to your bookshelf and/or library and gather up your “advisors.” To do this I simply grab a book by each of the authors on my invitee list. It is a good idea to read at least one book by the author so you can get a good sense of their thinking styles and conversation style. To increase your overall experience you can search the internet for audio files of your advisors and invest the time to listen.

Step Four: Schedule your Meeting

Grab your Calendar and block off a 30-60 minute block of time that you will not be disturbed. It is very likely that you will not need the entire hour but that last thing you would want is to cut your Mastermind meeting short.

Step Five: Facilitate your MasterMind of One

My technique is simple and effective. Place each book in a chair; at each place sitting of a table; in a circle on the floor in your office or bedroom. Create a quiet and relaxing setting. If you meditate on a regular basis create the same atmosphere that you do when you meditate. I like to listen to alpha or theta wave audio files with headphones to facilitate deeper relaxation and freedom from distractions.

Take 3-4 deep relaxing breaths: inhale through your nose for a count of six, hold it for a count of 12 and exhale for a count of 18 and close your eyes. Once you arrive at a relaxed meditative state begin to prepare mentally for your MasterMind session. Once prepared simply invite your attendees to come and sit.

Visualize each advisor entering the room one by one and see yourself greeting them with a firm handshake and a friendly professional smile and escorting them to their assigned seat. Once everyone is present and seated simply explain your situation to your advisory board and let the discussion begin.

What you can expect…

Outcomes will vary however in my experiences a very lifelike circumstance is created. There is a genuine connection felt between me and my advisors and a great deal of trust is established immediately. In most cases one advisor will step up to volunteer some guidance often assuming the role of spokesperson for the entire group. The direction is clear and concise. Action steps are clearly defined and there is a sense of accountability created between you and your MasterMind of One.

Suggestions:

1.) It is a good idea to have a notepad or journal and a pen nearby. It may sound strange but your first experience can be a little overwhelming. My first experience was so enlightening that I was overcome with excitement; so much so that I almost forgot the content of the meeting.

2.) Take one action step toward the completion of your project. Even the smallest step, no matter how insignificant it may seem can increase the chances of success greatly: make one phone call; send one email; write one paragraph. Just do something before you go officially close the meeting.

3.) Make this a part of your problem solving systems for growth and development..

4.) Try it today!

Good Luck and as always…

Do Great Things!

Michael J Stone