INSIGHT OF THE DAY !

If you have ever wanted to start your own Mastermind Group then read below:

-Masterminding Guidelines-

1. The average group works best with two to eight members, no more than 12 - time is the constraint.

2. Meet regularly, weekly if possible. Meet in a nice, preferably inspirational place if possible. Make sure it's a well-lit restaurant, office, home, library, or church, etc.

3. If you are in different cities, the meeting can be conducted on a conference call. Make certain you engage a really good conference call company (setting up a series of 3-way calls does not work well.) You might save a few pennies but miss a million dollar opportunity through distractions.

4. Start the meetings by reading the MasterMind principles. This is possibly one of the most important points of a call. Every member of the group should read aloud all 7 principles and the dedication and covenant.

5. Each member should be supported visually, verbally and emotionally by the others. For example: someone wants a new home. Other members might say, "I see you driving up to your glorious new home. I see you sunning yourself poolside with your loved ones, friends and me." The principle is that we can believe for others what they cannot fully believe for themselves. These are not idle words. You must create and project to the MasterMind a clear vision that the words represent.

6. Your MasterMind call should run like a "Swiss watch." Ensure the call is timely. If you have committed to a 60 minute call, keep it within that time frame. MasterMind members are generally extremely busy, time is important - use it wisely. Each group should elect a MasterMind leader to keep everything flowing freely. The leadership position can rotate from one member to another. The group leader should be prepared to time each person's participation in the call to ensure it is kept on track. Have a watch (with a second hand) or stop watch available. This point is extremely important (do not treat it lightly).

7. Roll Call - The group leader would take a roll call and at that time, would assign each person a number (i.e. if there are 6 people on the call, each person would have a number from 1-6). This numbering system can be used to designate who speaks when and should be rotated with each call to ensure #1 doesn't always speak first.

8. Good News - Starting with whichever number is designated for that particular call; each person would be allowed 1 minute to speak about something very positive. They will share their "win for the week." This will help in creating the right vibration to get the call started in a positive direction.

9. Wants and Needs - Again, starting with whichever number has been designated to begin first, each person would have 4 minutes (the group would decide on the length of time) in which to state their wants and needs and receive their responses. It might sound like, "This is John. This is what I want and this is what I need." Or, "This is John. This is a challenge I'm facing and I would appreciate the help of my MasterMind group." It's important that everyone understands that the designated amount of time allotted is both to state their want/need and to receive the group's response. Therefore, if someone is not prepared for the call and it takes them 3 ½ minutes to state what they need, it allows the group only a ½ minute to respond. Each MasterMind member needs to be prepared for the call - to ensure maximum benefit. At the end of the 4 minutes, it would be the team leader's responsibility to say "Time is up," and the discussion would come to a halt. The second person would be asked to begin.

10. Depending on the "chosen" length of your call, you may decide to leave room for a "free for all" at the end, at which time anyone and everyone would have a chance to speak.

11. A special MasterMind meeting may be called at any time to MasterMind an exciting new project.