5minutebiz

I have been running my own business since 2002 and I have to confess that, having left a senior management position in the corporate world, being my own boss sometimes felt a bit lonely. I really missed having a built-in group of peers to bounce ideas around. I missed those ‘let’s grab a coffee’ moments, where you could solve any problem imaginable in under 15 minutes. I missed having a built-in moral support network, to help me out if I got stuck or frustrated and to celebrate each other’s successes.

It took me years to find what I was missing:

A Mastermind Group

Nowadays I wouldn’t be without my Mastermind team. I feel VERY blessed to have such a supportive Mastermind group. I love that we can step in and bounce ideas and support each other – and go the extra mile. They ROCK and I’m one lucky lady.

I also have the honour of leading Mastermind programmes for other business owners and business leaders. And I absolutely love watching the way they support each other in ways I might never have imagined, holding each other accountable as they sky rocket their way towards their dreams.

So, as we move towards the end of 2015 and you’re hopefully planning what you want to create in 2016,  I want to share with you today 5 reasons why your dream customers wish you were part of a Mastermind.

1. You’re Putting On Your Own Oxygen Mask, First

If you’re not getting the support you need, how can you support others? Yet most of us build our business that way round.

Being part of a great Mastermind will energise you and lift your spirits when things feel hard. It can bring you fresh perspectives that help you to serve at an even deeper level. And you turn into part of an inspirational team – with built-in cheerleaders – rather than risking feeling isolated and alone.

Plus you get the excitement and feel-good factor of being there for others, when they need you, too.

2. Break Free From Your Comfort Zones

There’s something about the accountability of a great Mastermind group that makes it so much easier to break free from old comfort zones, habits and excuses. And the last thing your dream clients need is for you to spend the rest of your career hiding behind your comfort zones…

You know the thing about it being easier to solve someone else’s problem, rather than your own? Well Masterminds take that to the next level.

And whilst you probably wouldn’t tell the whole of Facebook that you’re secretly scared about performing well in your next big project, your Mastermind group WANTS to hear this stuff, so that they can help you.

AND you’ll learn as others share their comfort-zone-expanding journeys, too.

3. Learning And Growing

There comes a point in your business where it gets harder to learn and grow. The ‘easy’ stuff is done. And you’re starting to move ahead of the crowd – or moving further ahead, if you’re already there. That’s when a good Mastermind team comes into its own.

Your dream customers need you to keep moving – not to stand still for years – and your personal and professional development is vital. Your peers in your Mastermind group can give you feedback on ideas, to make them even better. They can hold up a (hopefully compassionate!) mirror for the bits of yourself you need to work on and they can inspire you to keep working to be the best you can be at being who you really are. What book or online course could possibly do that for you?

Plus, because you know and trust each other, you’ll feel totally safe to ask for the support and feedback you need. And your Mastermind brings with it everyone else’s network. So if you need a solution or a business partner, chances are someone in your Mastermind group knows just the right person to connect you with.

4. Thinking – And Acting – Bigger

By sharing the journey with your Mastermind, you’ll get inspired by actions others take that could work in your industry, too.

The fresh perspectives you’ll gain from working with your peer group allow you to surprise, delight and serve your dream customers in ways you might never have thought of, by yourself.

And I have often found that the members of the Mastermind programmes I run find this incredibly useful – it quickly turns into a ‘bouncing of ideas’ in a way that a one-to-one mentoring session would be unlikely to ever produce.

Plus with your built-in team of cheerleaders, it’s easier to feel brave and think – and act – at a bigger level.

5. You’ve Made A Commitment – And You Get Accountability

Over the past year of leading the EU VAT Action Campaign, I have lost count of how many times EU Tax Authorities have called the smallest businesses ‘hobby businesses’. Whilst many might find that insulting, it’s true that there is a difference between a business that is part time, bringing in a supplementary income, and one that is a fully-fledged business.

Joining a paid Mastermind means you have made the commitment to move up a gear in your business, growing and expanding, perhaps even recruiting your dream team. And a brilliant team achieves so much more than a part time solopreneur.

This commitment pays back fast. You align with becoming a bigger business. You’ll be thinking differently and taking different actions. And you’ll start to achieve the results you have been dreaming of.

And your Mastermind gives you the accountability you need, as you take your steps towards moving up to the next level with your business. If you tell them you’re going to do something, they’ll help make sure you do. And that accountability can make all the difference.

What Kind Of Mastermind Is Right For You?

Do you want just a peer-support Mastermind? Or one that is led by someone who has been around the block a few times? Or do you want one that is more structured, with a monthly theme and teaching modules?

It’s up to you and you’ll know which your heart is calling you to; which one will help you to grow in the direction you’re looking for.

The most important thing is to get clear about WHY you want to join a Mastermind, so you can check it’s in alignment with what will best support you.

And then make sure it really is your peer-group. Aim too high and you’ll feel like a fish out of water. Aim too low and it’s all too easy to end up stuck with a group of beginners who want free coaching from you, because you’re ahead of the pack.

This is one of the reasons why a paid Mastermind works so well. It filters out the newbies (nothing wrong with being a newbie, but they don’t make the best Mastermind buddies). And it helps you to connect with a Tribe that is where you’re ‘at’ – where you can truly support, empower and inspire each other.

Plus the payment keeps you ‘in’ and committed, in a way that willpower alone might never manage, rather than pushing your Mastermind down your ‘to do’ list and getting left behind.

Really Important Advice

If you’re looking at a Mastermind that is more structured, it’s really important to get to know the person leading it.

I see Facebook adverts daily for people who are telling you that you need to hit six figures or seven figures or more in the next 3 nano-seconds, if you want to call yourself a ‘success’. But when you look underneath the glitzy graphics, what’s being sold is good ol’ snake oil.

And yes, I know of ‘gurus’ out there promising results they have never achieved themselves.

Just last week I even came across someone who had been a coach for a grand total of 7 months who was now running a coaching business Mastermind. And this morning I heard about another coach who is claiming a 5-figure per month income when reality is they’re closer to zero, but they’re now marketing themselves as a business mentor.

So do your homework. You deserve the best you can afford. Look for someone with a track record. Check out their personal profile on places like Facebook, not just their business page. You might be surprised what you find.

When you look at how they talk about other people, it gives you a good insight as to whether you want to trust them with your deepest secrets.

Get on their mailing list. Try out some of their entry-level stuff, to make sure they actually know how to teach. After all, 13 years as an NLP Trainer has shown me that there’s a world of difference between Mastery and being able to teach others how to become Masters.

And above all, trust your gut instinct. It’s ok to ask questions: you’re trusting them to help you turn your future dreams into reality.

How To Be A Great Mastermindee

Give more than you get, without agenda.

In any Mastermind there will be people who only show up when they need something. And it’s the job of the Mastermind leader to manage that.

So give, without expectation of return, and you will reap far more than you commit. The trust you will build with your fellow Masterminders is priceless.

And keep an open mind.

Sometimes we get very attached to our personal perspectives, beliefs and even excuses. If you find yourself getting defensive, it could be because you’re getting ready to grow. Having an open mind guarantees you’ll get the most from your Mastermind experience.

Want To Mastermind With Me?

I run two types of Mastermind. One is the low-key monthly membership option, where you get a shared Facebook group and regular Masterclasses – it’s my Backstage Pass programme.

The other is my exclusive dive-in-and-do-it application-only Mastermind group, with monthly core themes and ‘inside work’ teaching modules, plus we meet up 3 times a year, across Europe. And doors are now open for enrolment for my 2016 Mastermind. It’s application-only, so I can make sure everyone will love being a part of it, and spaces are limited, so you won’t get ‘lost’ and will get the support and encouragement you need.

To find out how to apply, and what exciting things we’ve got planned for the year ahead, here’s where to find out more:

>>> www.ClareJosa.com/Mastermind <<<

I’d be honoured to share the journey with you.

And I’d love to hear from you, via the comments:

• Are you part of a Mastermind you love?
• What puts you off from joining one?
• And what are your top tips for finding one that’s a great fit for you?

With love, Namaste,

Clare x