If you have been following my posts on social media the last few days, you know that I’ve just returned from a great mastermind group meeting with my coach and mentor, Dan Miller and his wife, Joanne, along with Kent Julian, Chuck Bowen, Andy Traub, James Woosley, and a whole crew of very smart entrepreneurs and career professionals.

As I was posting photos of our group online, someone asked the question: What’s a mastermind?

And then it hit me.

Not everyone has heard the term.

The idea of a mastermind spans centuries. Ben Franklin had a “Junto” – a club for mutual improvement. As mentioned in an earlier article, many great leaders of the early twentieth century formed the Jekyll Island Club. I believe it was as much about being with like-minded leaders as it was about getting away from the hustle and bustle of their busy lives.

Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, defined the term mastermind as “the coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony.” In essence, he described this as a “third mind – the mastermind.”

Now while all of that sounds a bit ethereal, here’s the modern day translation.

Let’s imagine you want to do something well beyond anything you’ve ever done before. It’s not impossible, but it is definitely outside your comfort zone. In my case, it was making a giant leap from a very comfortable corporate career into being an entrepreneur.

You know that to make your giant leap (whatever it is), you will have to learn new skills, make new connections, create a plan, and experiment with different approaches. You know it’s going to take a monumental effort. You fear failure. And, frankly, you’re just not sure where to start.

This is your point of definition.

You have two choices: go it alone or get help.

I will tell you that cubicles are full of entrepreneur wannabes who didn’t ask for help.

I’m not saying you can’t make it alone – that you’re not capable. But I will say it’s not wise, and it will take a lot more time and willpower to go it alone. Your growth will be limited.

I can pretty well tell if a person is going to accomplish great things just by looking at who they choose to spend time with. You’ve heard the saying, “You will be the same in ten years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.” Those you choose to partner with in life have greater influence than you can imagine.

If I could give you one bit of advice, it would be this: Surround yourself with those who are where you want to be and who can help you get there.

For me, that has meant having Dan Miller as my business coach, John Maxwell as my mentor (for decades now), and always, a solid mastermind group that helps me brainstorm for ideas and offers opportunities to collaborate, resources, connections, support, and honest feedback.

Whether you call it a mastermind group or a club or some other creative name, it doesn’t matter. It matters that you have one.

If you need help finding a mastermind group or coach who can help you accomplish your dream, email me at deb@strengthleader.com. I’d absolutely be thrilled to help you.