A group of friends got together to ask some questions. They ended up changing the world.
In 1727 Benjamin Franklin started a group of about twelve souls whose purpose was individual and community improvement. The “Junto,” as Franklin called it, met on Friday nights and went through a list of questions including:
- What new story have you lately heard agreeable for telling in conversation?
- Have you lately heard of any citizen’s thriving well, and by what means?
- Do you think of any thing at present, in which the Junto may be serviceable to mankind? to their country, to their friends, or to themselves?
Just a group of folks, meeting regularly, asking some questions. But what they accomplished was remarkable. Members of the Junto were directly responsible for:
- the first volunteer fire department
- the first public library in the United States
- the first public hospital in Pennsylvania
- the founding of the American Philosophical Society, which still exists over 250 years later
Benjamin Franklin was an exceptional human being, yes, but the fact remains that when a group of people get together regularly and ask good questions, great things follow.
This isn’t just for Franklin and his friends. It’s for you and your friends. The most successful people I know are in a mastermind group.
Questions and Results
To do our best work, participating in a group of creative people who have similar interests is indispensable. What might happen if you organized a group and ask questions like:
- What were your highs and lows this week?
- How can the group help you?
- What do you want to accomplish this week?
I’ve been in a mastermind group led by pro blogger Jonathan Milligan for several months now. Using questions like the ones above, we’ve already seen some great things happen:
- Two podcasts have launched
- New books have been written and published
- Businesses (including Book Proposal Academy!) have been born
It is easily one of the best things I’ve done for my blogging and for my side business. [Tweet that!]
photo credit: CoffeePartyUSA via photopin cc
You Need This
The main benefits of a mastermind group are (1) guidance, (2) accountability, and (3) service. Let me unpack these a bit.
Guidance
If you’re in a group of people who have similar interests and you don’t know the next step to take on your creative journey, someone in your group is likely to be able to help. Mastermind groups help each member take the next best step. [Tweet that!]
Accountability
When you tell your group “By this time next week, I want to have published two blog posts,” you are more likely to get those two blog posts published than if you hadn’t said so to your group. It’s just human nature. When we make a commitment before others, we’re more likely to get it done.
Service
Mastermind groups relate to service in at least two key ways. First, they provide an opportunity for everyone in the group to serve each other. Second, mastermind groups help their members serve nonmembers. Franklin’s Junto did that by establishing the first library, the first hospital, and so on. The group I’m in does it by creating podcasts and books and businesses.
How to Start a Mastermind Group
Jonathan Milligan and I will be hosting a free webinar this coming Tuesday, September 30, at 9pm Eastern. The webinar will teach you how to launch a mastermind group in thirty days. You’ll learn:
- The ONE single factor that determines success
- Mastermind group questionnaire and checklists
- How to structure your meetings so the whole group benefits
- The best places online to find future group members
- 3 simple keys to a group’s success
- Creative ways to keep your group fresh and alive
- And so much more!
Join us! To sign up for the webinar, CLICK HERE
Giveaway
I have an extra copy of Chris Guillebeau’s New York Times bestselling book The Happiness of Pursuit. (By the way, if you missed my interview with Chris, click here.) If you share this post and comment below by September 30, I’ll enter you to win. Just share this post however you like and respond to the question below.
Question: What is something you need that a mastermind group could help provide? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
I feel like I spout ideas, but need help gaining traction! I hope a MM group could help me get a bit more grip. And I adore an energetic, encouraging community…
One reason we spout ideas is because we don’t have anyone around us saying “Hey, that’s a good one! You should pursue that!” It was because a fellow mastermind encouraged me to go deeper with BookProposalAcademy.com that I had the courage to pursue it, for example. So yes, a mastermind can help with this! Thanks for commenting, Becky.
Becky, Sorry it took a bit, but I randomly selected a winner, and you won! Just send an address to chad [at] chadrallen dot com, and I’ll send you a copy of Guillebeau’s book. Thanks for sharing and commenting!
The one thing a mastermind group could provide me would be accountability.
Mhm, that’s a biggie. Don’t know where I’d be without a few people who care about my progress.
Great post Chad! It’s been great to be in a mastermind group with you each week. Excited about this webinar we are doing together!
Thanks, Jonathan! Looking forward to it.
I agree with many of the comments below, especially the encouragement and accountability comments. Along with these qualities to be found in a mastermind group, my specific would be to receive help and provide wisdom with my writing projects. Do I want to be a devotional writer, children’s writer, business writer, or is my calling something that isn’t even writing. Plus, I would like to help others figure out the same thing, it doesn’t have to be writing just business ventures all together.
Thanks, Chris. A mastermind group is good for all of the above. Hope you can make it to our webinar.
Totally agree with you Chad, about being part of a Mastermind as I have experienced and seen the benefits.
The most important thing though is to choose the right people that suit and resonate with your business goals and also have the same intentions as you. Its crucial to have mastermind rules for people to follow so you are all on the same path, and can receive the right motivational support and accountability, and get benefits out the group.
I think is really important that you are all there to grow your businesses, not to share personal
problems or attend half hearted at the meetings. Like not being fully present at the meeting, and
always turning up, not turning up late, unless of course there is an emergency.
Also trust and confidentiality is very important, as if you cannot share your ideas with the group, and
not feel save then it’s a no no.
Feedback is great, but there is a need to let each other know what you want out of the group
so you get what you need to succeed. i.e. If you want gentle encouragement, or kick up the backside,
you have got to let each know this.
I think setting up your own Mastermind group is a great idea and signed up for your webinar Chad,
looking forward in getting some good ideas on this.
Terrific, Jane! I agree that trust is a critical element, as is having a clear idea of what you’re trying to gain from the group.
Instead of teaching AT someone or simply collaborating on a project, a mastermind group is a living space of spontaneous creation. May sound a bit woo-woo, but as people come together in groups to support and encourage each other, ideas start popping in and suddenly it’s a BIG idea that everyone is a part of and the group power has the ability to catapult it into a change-the-world-project.
Well said, Roxanne!
I love all the pieces you mentioned guidance, service and accountability. I think working with others usually raises up new creativity in me as well. Some of my best work has been done as a collaboration. The thought of like-minded people holding each other up in prayer is attractive too.
Absolutely, Lisa. Hope you can join us for the webinar!
Accountability…it’s too easy to get caught up in the day to day things that never end. This post came at an interesting time; a friend and I were having coffee last week and talked of starting a group. Our first meeting will be this Wednesday.
A mastermind group could help provide me the synergy in my ideas to actually employ them myself. Accountability, forward movement of my business development, and positive encouragement would also be biggies. I especially love the idea of doing it in the spirit of service!
A spirit of service is key to a rich, helpful experience for all. Thanks for commenting, Paula.
For me, a mastermind group would ideally provide encouragement, accountability, and helpful discernment, among other things.
Thanks for mentioning encouragement. That’s an important one!