I just spent a week with my mastermind group in Chicago. They meet three times each year, always in a different city. This was my first time, and I was scheduled to present my information last on Friday, so I had plenty of time to watch the process.
Everyone has an opportunity to present their business to the group to receive feedback and to ask questions. I found myself eager to add to each discussion, giving my thoughts and recommendations for how they could improve their online business and increase their bottom line.
I wondered why I was able to see so many things in other people’s internet businesses that I couldn’t see in my own. The answer is simple; I am simply too close to what I do to see what I could change to make it better.
Think about two things with your own business. One, do you have a mentor and a mastermind group where you can share your ideas and goals? Second, does your mentor have a mentor? Make sure you are studying internet marketing with someone who is constantly learning from one of the great thought leaders in their field. Otherwise, it will be a case of the blind leading the blind.
I welcome your comments on this.
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You are indeed correct. It is very possible to get tooo close to your business to see what needs to be done. Not only do I subscribe to many marketing newsletters I belong to a mastermind group and have a couple mentors to which I turn. You don’t build a business by yourself!
Pam Murphy
http://pamsnutritionstore.com
Great blog entry Connie! Very true. I am able to direct all of my clients easily but when it comes to my brand and initiatives, it is very difficult because I am too close.
Luckily, I have great mentors that I can connect with to keep me focused.
Connie,
The post is thought-provoking. I was an entrepreneur, who closed my business and am working for a small firm (about 2 years) and will be transitioning back to founding a small business in the next six months or so.
Is the term “mastermind” group generic or does it refer to a specific branded process?
Thank you,
Gary
Hi Connie,
I wholeheartedly agree! In addition to belonging to two high level mastermind groups, I also work with other business advisors.
This way, I’ve created a team of expert business advisors and aren’t relying only on myself because, as you mention, we can get too close to our own business.
One practice I started years ago, and still continue, is to hire myself quarterly. By hiring myself (and paying for me), I’m able to step back from my business and look at it objectively, as I would a client’s. I find this helps give me perspective.
I hope you had a great mastermind meeting and came back with lots of new ideas for your business!
Sandy 🙂
Great article – i am really feeling like i’m lost in the forest today – your article actually has caused me to hook up with some others to form a mastermind for our online businesses.
BTW Gary – mastermind is a type of group and here’s an article on ezinearticles.com that does a good job of describing one http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Run-a-Mastermind-Group&id=2388702