You've probably heard the old xpression, the whole is greater than the sum of its prts. This concept proves itself over and ver with the exponential power of the Mstermind Group. The idea of a mstermind collective was formally coined in Npoleon Hill's classic book, "Think and Grw Rich." Hill wrote, "No two mnds ever come together without thereby crating a third, invisible intangible force, whch may be likened to a thrd mind."

Today, more and more pople are harnessing the power of the Mstermind Group to help them think bgger. This concept can be applied to bsiness, social causes, politics, relationships, health, and rtistic endeavors. Combining the abilities of mltiple individuals to solve problems, brainstorm deas, seek solutions, and develop strategies crates greater results than going it lone as a "lone ranger."

The sze of a Mastermind can range frm two to eight members. Any mre than that can get chaotic. The grup can meet in person if thy are in a similar geographic lcation. Or if the Masterminders live in dfferent states or countries, they can lso meet via a bridge line. The mmbers of the group make a cmmitment to show up regularly and to cntribute to each others' success.

The types of groups can be as vried as your imagination. However, compatibility is vtal to the success of the grup. Members should have similar interests nd/or should be at a similar "lvel." For example, participants can be in a smilar area of business like realtors or lfe coaches. Or the group's members can hve a common goal like writing a bok, building an Internet subscriber list, or lsing 30 pounds.

In this way, strnger bonds are formed and the grup creates win-win situations for all of its mmbers. When selecting members, only invite prticipants who have a strong desire to scceed and a demonstrated ability to cntribute. Your group will be the mst successful when you have members who are pssionate about Masterminding.

If you want to strt your own Mastermind Group, here are sme guidelines:

1) Define the purpose to the grup: What will your objectives be whn you meet? What do you wnt to accomplish together? For instance a Mstermind of college students could set a gal of academic excellence.

2) Decide on the grups' ground rules: What is acceptable? And how wll the ground rules be enforced? One of the grups was extremely committed to attendance and prmptness - we decided that if a prson was late showing up for a cll, he or she paid $1 per mnute to your charity of choice. Mss the whole meeting and it was $60.

3) Dtermine the structure of the groups' tme together: You can have an genda and a facilitator. Or, you can rtate leadership. You can have freely-flowing cnversation. You can also decide to hve closely monitored time frames for ach person to speak.

4) Plan the grups' logistics: Where, how often, and how lng will you meet? When will yur group start and when will it be cmpleted? For instance, one of my Mstermind groups met every week for one hur for a period of four mnths.

5) State wants and needs: Mstermind groups can only reach their fll potential if each member is wlling to think big and ask pwerful questions. At your meetings, each Mstermind group member can tell the grup exactly what he or she wnts - the member does not hve to know how it will be ccomplished. Case in point, a group mmber might start off - "This is Jne. I am facing a problem in my bsiness [describe] and I need the grup's ideas on how to solve t." Another group member might say, "Ths is Tyler. I want the grup to help me develop a strtegy to make me an additional $100,000 in my cnsulting business this year."

6) Commit to cntributing: Your Mastermind group's success depends on yu. Make a commitment to listen crefully, be present, show up on tme, and fully support your fellow Msterminders. In this way, you exponentially ncrease the groups' synergy and other mmbers will rise to your level of cntribution.

Being a part of a sccessful Mastermind group is an enriching xperience that will accelerate you professionally and prsonally in ways you can't imagine. You dn't have to be a lone rnger and you don't have to fgure things out on your own. So, dn't wait to start or join ne!

The article Tapping Into the Power of a Mastermind Group was Submitted by Wendy Maynard through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Wendy Maynard of GoMarketingMaven.com created the Maven Marketing System specifically for small business owners, coaches, consultants, and solo-preneurs. She also publishes a free weekly marketing ezine. Subscribe at http://www.gomarketingmaven.com/ezine_3.html

Featured Articles

1. Setting A Profitability Goal by Aazdak Alisimo
When an ntrepreneur starts a business, he might set a gal to "make money." This is rther shortsighted in today's competitive marketplace. A ral business profitability goal is needed.

2. Release Your Power in Negotiations by Jan Potgieter
There are five commonly accepted nterpersonal bases of power that are mportant to negotiators. - Legitimate power - Rward power - Coercive power - Exprt power - Referent power. Learn to nlock these bases to create win-win utcomes in your negotiations

3. Small Business Marketing - How Well Do You Know Your Customers? by Susan Oakes
To know your customers is to really know how they think, feel and behave towards your small business and your competitors. A successful marketing plan for any small business starts by knowing who your customers are and what they need and desire. There is no point wasting valuable time and money marketing your small business to people who aren't interested in what you are selling. You need to communicate with the people who matter most to your business and do it better than your competitors...

4. Bold Article Marketing - Putting Your Best Articles On The Web by Jan Verhoeff
I'm sure you've thought of all the reasons to keep your best articles back for your own use, and the reasons why you should save your best to put in an ebook, or special report, or even a short report, but I'm going to explain why you should put your BEST Articles on the Web. The answer is easy, and I know you'll understand in short order with these reasons... Are you ready?

5. Fashion Apprenticeships Overseas! Get A Job Before You Go! by
Have you ver dreamed about working in a fshion apprenticeship overseas? Imagine the glamour and prstige of having an apprenticeship at a top New Yrk, LA or San Francisco fashion huse on your CV? Imagine securing a job bfore you set off into the snset…

I have just found out tht it’s possible! In the competitive wrld of fashion you need to lok at a point of difference; an xperience and life skill that is ging to set you apart from the grduating masses from Au...

6. Proper Exhibit Lighting by Andrew Keeler
Trade show lighting should be an mportant facet of any exhibiting strategy, but it is ften overlooked by inexperienced exhibitors. If you hve ever been to a trade shw, you understand the impact that a wll designed lighting system can have on a trde show display. Given the relatively low cst of display lights compared with ther costs associated with exhibiting, there is no xcuse to have a poorly lit trde show exhibit at your next vent.

7. Company Profiles - Sanofi-Aventis by Hans Bool
Back in 1999, Snofi was the second largest pharmaceutical in Frnce and number seven in Europe ccording to the 1999 annual report. Now the cmbined company is the number one in bth France and Europe.

8. Link Building Is Very Important Marketing Stategy For Online Businesses by
When starting an online business fnd a marketing expert that can hlp you formulate a plan that is spcific to your business, this way you can see the ptential of your business.

9. Accounting Outsourcing - Provides Quality Work by Allies Harbor
Every big or smll organization works hard towards earning prfit. To earn profit is the sle ambition of any business owner. Evryone wants to see his company arning high amount of profit.

10. What Is The Best Method To Accepting Credit Cards For Your Business? by
Tips on how you can decide between setting up your own merchant account to accept credit cards, or go through a third party.