Have you ever been a member of a mastermind group? Or heard of one?

This past Friday I spent all day with my mastermind group. I'm going through some pretty significant transitions and to spend the day with like-minded peers who want to see me succeed and be of service to others is just what I needed.

A mastermind group is essentially a group of peers with common ideals that give each other advice and support. It's like having your own personal counsel composed of people you respect and admire.

I've been a part of a few masterminds in the past and I can tell you that they are powerful.  I remember thinking at the first meeting of my first ever mastermind, what will I say?  What if I'm not interesting? Or worse, what if I don't have anything valuable to add to the conversation? But the beauty of a strong mastermind is that every person has something to bring to the table. Whether you have lots of experience or a little, what matters most is that you're focused on growth and that you bring your presence and energy to the group.

Many of us lean on a therapist, a coach or our friends or family for support, guidance and encouragement. And those are all important relationships. But your therapist or coach relationship is 1:1.  And while your friends and family may be wonderful in many ways, their perspective may not be aligned with where you want to go or who you want to be. That is when actively choosing to surround yourself with people on the same path is the solution.  

"I want to be around people that do things. I don't want to be around people anymore that judge or talk about what people do. I want to be around people who dream, and support and do things" - Amy Pohler

Meeting consistently with a like-minded group of people whom you trust takes things to a whole new level. There is a palpable, supportive energy that is created as we give each other the space to share our challenges and to be heard. I've found it to be both nourishing in the moment (I always leave meetings feeling energized) and a major catalyst for growth and reaching your goals.

A mastermind group can hold up a mirror for you - to help you see your strengths and your gifts but also to show you clearly where you are allowing fear to hold you back. It is invigorating to be called out on your limiting beliefs or excuses (always in a supportive, encouraging way)!  Sometimes it's too easy to convince yourself that the story you've been telling yourself is the truth. When really it is only one version of the truth. I've made some major decisions coming out of mastermind meetings that have been positively life-changing.

If you want to pull together your own mastermind group here are some thoughts on where to begin:

1.  Invite people to your group who are open-minded and have a growth mindset.  Choose those that see opportunity in challenges, take responsibility for their choices, are self-aware and are always searching for creative solutions.

2. Set a regular time to meet. Ideally it is at least twice a month, if not weekly. The more regularly you meet, the more you'll be able to keep the momentum created by the group between meetings.

3. Agree to a set of guidelines for the group.  Some basics are:

• what's said in the group, stays within the group

• trust in the collective power of the group

• identify some key values that you will all hold yourself to - for example, non-judgement, trust, service to the higher good
  

You could start a mastermind group to be a better parent, to grow your business, or to start something new. The only pre-requisite is the desire to grow.

I am working on a mastermind program that will launch within the next couple months. I want to gather a group of women together on a journey to uncover our deepest desires, confront our fears and start (or continue) on the path to creating a life we dream of.

Are you interested in learning more?

Send me an email at kena@allyouare.ca with YES and I'll put you on the list to receive the invitation for the pilot program.

"Deliberately seek the company of people who influence you to think and act on building the life you desire." - Napoleon Hill

With love,

Kena xo

Kena Paranjape, Founder, All You Are