Lately a lot of people around me have been experiencing a high state of “burn out.” This is most definitely something I struggle with as well, and while I’m getting better at juggling everything, it’s still really difficult to want to put one foot in front of the other and stay on track with career goals when all I want to do is binge watch shows. Damn you, Netflix!
One of my solutions when I’m feeling blue and never wanting to take off my PJs, has been to turn to the many different Mastermind groups that I’ve been a part of over the years. Some of these groups have actually been set up as Masterminds, some of them are just amazing groups of people who are like-minded and focused on helping one another succeed, but either way they are powerful.
What’s a Mastermind Group? Well, Napoleon Hill first spoke of the Mastermind in his book “Think and Grow Rich,” which was published over 75 years ago. He states that a Mastermind is defined as “coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definitive purpose.”
This industry is a tough one, and it’s important for all of us to surround ourselves with people who can help us think through tough experiences. Whether it’s strategizing about the next steps to take with our careers, getting feedback on a particular situation we are dealing with, or figuring how to rest up after that all too familiar period of “burn out,” Masterminds are a great resource.
The key with Mastermind groups is to be surrounded by people who are all willing to give as much as they get. It’s a “hive mind of genius” where together you are stronger than you are apart.
So, how do you find a Mastermind? While there are definitely Mastermind groups already in existence that you could seek out, I think one of the best things to do is create one yourself.
The first time I created a Mastermind was when I had just moved to L.A. and was a student at Scott Sedita Acting Studios. He calls the groups “CAGs” or Call-to-Action Groups. At his suggestion, I gathered about 10 of my fellow classmates and we met once a week for about a year. We spent our breakfasts strategizing, brainstorming, and talking about our goals, offering resources to help one another and contacts when we had them.
Years later, I was a part of a Mastermind group of five women who were all entrepreneurs in various areas of the entertainment industry. We met once a month to talk through roadblocks we were facing in our business endeavors and coming up with creative solutions for one another. In fact, it was during that group’s meetups that Ms. In The Biz was born!
Ms. In The Biz to me also has a Mastermind group of sorts. We have a monthly meetup where writers for the site come together and talk about areas in our lives and careers where we need assistance, and we all figure out how we can help support one another in living our best lives.
So, how do you create a Mastermind group? I’d like to give you some tips that have helped me over the years.
1. Seek out like-minded people. There is nothing more toxic to a Mastermind group than negativity bleeding into a positive atmosphere, so vet your company carefully. Your BFF that is a constant complainer and you have bitch sessions with about how crappy your careers are going, might not be the best person with which to Mastermind. That is, unless they are committed to turning their attitude around.
2. Be consistent. I’ve found that the most effective groups have been those that meet regularly whether that be in person, via Skype, over the phone, or in a Facebook group. The consistent check-ins are key for keeping me motivated and accountable.
3. Give as much as you get. I mentioned this earlier, but I think this is really key to a Mastermind’s success.
I’m part of a group of female filmmakers that meet once a month in a salon-type setting. At the end of each meeting we are encouraged to have an “ask” and a “give.” This allows us to not be afraid to ask someone for help because we know that we will be able to give something to another person as well. It’s a gorgeous exchange of helping hands, and something that I am incredibly fond of.
“So get thee to a Mastermind! Go!” and let me know how it goes in the comments below!
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