"The Secret of The Giants" Report by AWESOMELIFE.COM FREE Marketing and Business Resources

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THE SECRET OF THE GIANTS by Gerry Robert

There is a little known secret of giants in business. Well, it's not really a secret or I guess I wouldn't be writing an article on it. It may not be a total secret but it's not common knowledge either. This one secret is so powerful that it can make a prince out of a pauper. It can make a winner out of a looser. It can do more for you in a short time than almost anything else.

Using this one concept, I started a company and earned almost one million dollars in less than 18 months. I've helped others make fortunes with it.

It can increase sales.
It can get you in to see the top prospect in your industry.
It can bring prospects to you.
It can help your marriage.
It can help your bottom-line.
It can help your creativity.

In short, this one powerful secret has helped millions move ahead when nothing else seemed to. If you use this one simple strategy, there is no telling where it can lead you.

It's called Masterminding. How do you do it effectively? How do you take that concept and do for you what it has done for ordinary people like Andy. Andy was a participant in our Masterminding seminar. He was an aspiring musician. He needed a break. He got it using the steps you are about to read about.

What is Masterminding?

Masterminding is an effective tool used throughout the centuries to bring about solutions to challenges, problems, goal-achieving and creative brainstorming.

Masterminding is what happens when several people, in a spirit of harmony, tap into a creative source far more than the collective power of the ones present. Masterminding is the power of plugging each into each other then watching the collective units create much more solutions than they ever could on their own.

If I work on a goal or challenge by myself, I have certain degree of creative power to solve what needs solving. If I then ask you to join me and apply your creative power to bear on my goal or challenge then, we feel, there is more than just the power of the two of us now it's like the Mastermind takes over. It's no longer two, it's more like the power of eleven.

We you take a burning candle and touch the flame of another candle, the power of the two together is so much brighter than the two operating singularly.

For example, let's say someone is a fishing enthusiast, no let's say he's a "fishing nut". This guy is fishing every weekend at sunrise. He has 3 tackle boxes, a great fishing boat, all the equipment one could imagine. He decides to turn his fishing hobby into a small business. If he's never done it before he wouldn't necessarily know what to do, how to do it or in many cases even where to begin. It is unlikely he would know how to market their services, what tax breaks are available, how to get financing, etc.

Here is where their Mastermind group could really come in handy. This person asks their group to assist him by Masterminding one of several, well thought out objectives. Since everyone in the Mastermind group is there to serve and give unconditionally to the other people in the group, they willingly apply themselves to solving his objectives.

Let's say the objective is "to turn my fishing hobby into a profitable business generating $600 profit per month within the next six months." Having a clear picture of what he wants the Mastermind group then could provide him with marketing knowledge, specific contacts for clients or suppliers or partners. They might come up with a myriad of things the person hasn't even thought about. He probably never thought about it because he has never travelled the journey of the person giving the advice. That's the beauty of Masterminding. You get ideas, solutions and contacts you could never in a million years have come up with if you were working on it alone.

Origins

People have used Masterminding throughout history to solve life's issues. As far back as recorded history people have been involved in working out problems through sitting down, discussing the scope of what needs to be solved, putting egos aside, joining in a spirit of harmony, where the sole objective is to help the person being Masterminded. Mind you the term Masterminding is fairly new but the concept of tapping into a Master Mind is not. It's like joining several batteries together and watching the power of all of them create more power than the total energy they could bring individually. What happens can be truly amazing.

Think & Grow Rich

Napoleon Hill, author of the mega bestseller, Think & Grow Rich, popularized the term "masterminding" a few decades ago. Although he was one of the first to write about it, he surely would never claim to have invented or originated the concept.

As he observed the lives of some 500 of the world's wealthiest men, he discovered that they all belonged to a Mastermind group. Each one had a group of peers with whom they received support, encouragement, contacts, knowledge and advice.

One photo depicts a photo of Ironside, Ford, Carnegie and a few other giants of American enterprise engaged in Masterminding. Each one, claims Hill, acknowledges the power and absolute necessity of the Mastermind group for success in life.

It was Napoleon Hill who said...
The accumulation of great fortunes call for power, and power is acquired through highly organized and intelligently directed, specialized knowledge, but that knowledge does not necessarily have to be in the possession of the person who accumulates the fortune.

In fact, Hill reports that Charles Schwabb knew hardly nothing about steel, yet is responsible for creating the largest steel company in the world, The American Steel Company.

Key Strategies for Effective Masterminding

Having conducted Masterminding with people around the world, some with great success, others with little, we have found that certain very important elements are essential if it to return the maximum benefits, without these key strategies the groups tend to fizzle out quite quickly.

Here are the most important strategies for effective Masterminding.

Strategy 1:
Carefully choose 6 to 8 like-minded people to become part of your Mastermind group.

Choose The People Carefully.

The people you associate with are very important. They will influence you. If you are going to spend time Mastermind, be certain that the people you associate with have similar values and aspirations.

I would never be in a Mastermind group, for example, with someone who repeatedly publicly ridiculed or spoke harshly about someone who wasn't present. What assurance would I have that they wouldn't do exactly the same when I wasn't present?

Associate with people in a Mastermind situation who believe in the power of Masterminding. A certain degree of belief in the process is vital. A skeptic who investigates is one thing, skeptics who bring the group down is another. When a big objective is presented to the group, you want people around that table who are not going to be blown away. Not that they have to solve the objective themselves, Masterminding is just the opposite. But you want people who are going to play a willing part regardless. They should do so because they are sold on the concept.

Another element I look for in the people I Mastermind with is what I call the growth factor. Are they here to "get" or to "grow". Education, "drawing from within" or enhancing our awareness is vital. Be around people who are involved in a process of continual personal development.

A Mastermind group meets weekly but there is no magic number, bi-weekly and monthly works well too. Make a short list below of people you consider compatible and people who also want to master money and want to become wealthier. Ask them to commit to becoming part of you r Mastermind group. The meetings can take anywhere from one to three hours. It is a serious commitment, so only include people who you think are serious and growth orientated. You might not ask all the people on this list but start thinking about some possible people. It will be a mutually beneficial relationship.

Strategy 2:
Create a list traits or characteristics the ideal Mastermind partner.

Consider what the ideal Mastermind partner should be like. Think about skills, character traits, experience, attitude. What do you think should be the criteria for your Mastermind group? What type of person are you going to look for? Then evaluate the people on the list above according to this list.

Strategy 3:
Call them up and invite them to your first Mastermind meeting. Set a time and location and begin.

Don't waste any time. Find a time and location and begin the work of Mastermind your success. Tell the people that you are part of The Money Mastery System and you would like to meet with them to discuss their participation in this group. Explain the purpose of it and the commitment required.

At the first meeting you might want to read this lesson or cover pertinent points from it. The point here is that you begin to act on this information. You need a support system and this group will play an important role.

Of course, finish reading this lesson before you actually have your first meeting.

Strategy 4:
Insist on a Give versus Get mentality within your Mastermind group.

To come to a Mastermind group expecting to "get" is one of the surest ways to kill the energy of proper Masterminding. What's so ironic today however is that the notion of belonging to some group solely to help others is so foreign to us. We are into W.I.T.F.M. (What's In It For Me) and R.O.I. (Return On Investment).

Just stop and consider the opposite for a minute. It is the most beautiful and powerful concept for personal and professional growth available today. A group of people who sincerely intend and actually are committed to doing whatever they can to assist in your success, looking for nothing in return.

This one of the most fundamental aspects of what we try to cultivate. "Come looking to help the people at your table." Imagine everyone's energy devoted to assisting and supporting your success. Everyone committed, everyone giving.

We tell people to stop thinking about themselves and what they can get. Instead we re-focus on giving. The universal law of sowing and reaping states that .... You can't outgive God! Just keep helping others.

Strategy 5:
Demand a strong commitment.

Another key strategy to make Mastermind work effectively and will ensure sure disaster if it is not present is commitment. If people are not committed to the process, to growth, to success, to giving, to the group itself, they quickly abandon the group.

We have seen this happen often. People join a group without the proper commitment, they don't become millionaires in the first 3 months and quit. They are hurting themselves more than they could ever hurt a properly working Mastermind group. They are developing a habit called, "I'm a quitter." It can be a tough one to break.

Strategy 6:
Organize your Mastermind meetings.

If Masterminding is to work over the long haul it must employ an organized approach. I have seen so many, well-intentioned individuals, start groups then they would so quickly fizzle away.

If someone missed a meeting or two or if the group, through disorganization, cancelled a meeting it almost inevitably spelt disaster for the group.

People meet regularly according to a pre-determined schedule. They follow an agenda set by the leader. The Masterminding session is conducted in an orderly manner following a process that everyone is familiar with. Only one person speaks at a time. They follow an organized, well thought out approach. It's almost as if the organizational strength makes up for individual weaknesses.

Strategy 7:
Everyone should provide leadership.

A Mastermind group without effective, trained, strong and caring leadership will rarely last. Getting people to Mastermind effectively over a long time is no easy thing. People come with their own idea of what should happen, when and who should do it. Without a trained leader to control and bring out the best in people the group has little chance of success.

If a leader can't control the group, can't keep the discussions lively, keep them on track and assist in following the process, the whole group suffers.

Strategy 8:
Everything at your Mastermind meetings should be goal and action orientated.

We have seen some Masterminding that could best be described as "Mastersmooching". It was a big "love in". They discussed everything under the sun. They spoke of their commitment to each other. They contemplated the things of the universe. The discussed esoteric philosophies until the cows came home.

Masterminding without action and follow-up is useless and a terrible time-waster. Val Van DerWall says,
"You have learned nothing
until you have a
permanent change in results."

We emphasize acting on the ideas and contacts generated at your meetings within 48 hours. If you don't follow-up on the energy people give to you why should they continue to offer it to you? They shouldn't!

I know of one person who has been asking their Mastermind group for assistance with the same objective for several months. They never seem to be doing a thing about it but they still don't act. When will they? If most people only acted on what they know they would be far more successful.

If I give you one of my contacts who might be able to help you and you don't even bother to call (let alone, call to thank me for the contact), what does that show me about you, about what you think of me and my advice? Everything about a Mastermind session should be to move people into action towards their goals.

Use The Mastermind Worksheet

We have developed what many consider to be the most effective tool ever developed for the purpose of Masterminding. We call it the Mastermind Worksheet. Our Masterminding session generally lasts between 15 and 20 minutes per person being Masterminded. We use a 6 Step process.

Strategy: Conduct your Mastermind meetings according to the 6 Step process.

We have create perhaps the most comprehensive system for accelerating wealth through Masterminding in the world today. We have been using this system all over the world for several years and we countless examples of individuals whose lives and businesses have been transformed using this very system.

Avoid the tendency to be fooled by its simplicity. This really works. Follow each step below. Each step is elaberated in the following pages. Here is how you use the Mastermind worksheet. Here is how you solve all your money problems. Here is one of the most powerful tools in this system.

Step 1: Write a clear Objective
Step 2: Create a Needs List
Step 3: Generate as many Ideas as possible
Step 4: Provide Contacts
Step 5: Prioritize the Ideas
Step 6: Move into Action

Strategy : Be clear as to what you want to accomplish.
Step 1: Write a clear Objective.

Purpose
A properly written objective will ensure great energy and positive results in your Mastermind meeting. The purpose of writing an objective in advance, other than maximizing on time, is to ensure that everyone at your table sees the same picture in their minds.

If the objective is not clear, the Masterminding will be underminded. For example, let's say we are masterminding a money objective, say, "to earn $40,000." If the people in your group are unclear as to when you want to earn it you will have confusion not order. To create order, be specific. If I am to apply my brain power to solving this $40,000 issue, I will think different thoughts if you want to accomplish this in 1 months as opposed to one year.

Energy will be directed towards the collective objective. If everyone is working with different pictures in their minds, it will lessen the energy. Write an objective in clear, concise language which is free from ambiguous terminology. The goal of an objective is to ensure that everyone has the same idea of what you would like masterminded.

Clear
"I want to increase my income" is not a clear objective. What is "increase"? If you increased it by $5, the objective would have been met. Instead, if you said that you wanted to "increase your income by an additional $3,000 per month, starting in 90 days from today.", everyone would know exactly what you wanted to do.

Concise
Many people take a paragraph to write an objective. They do this to familiarize everyone with the scenerio surounding their goals. Giving people the details of your goals is fine, but should not be part of the objective.

Time
When would you like to achieve the objective? If you ask people to Mastermind findidng a business partner in one year as opposed to finding one by the weekend, their thoughts will be directed in completely different directions.

Think Big
Be sure to take the limit off your thinking. What do you want? Really want. Forget about what you think you can have. What is it you really desire? Think big! People in your Mastermind group will never ridicule you for setting high goals. People often play around with such small ideas, it is no wonder they are bored, depressed and accomplish very little in life.

Be specific
Avoid ambiguous terminology. Terms like "take off like a rocket" or "pro-active", or "dynamic" mean different things for different people. In your objective, be very specific with your language.

Keep it short
Your objective should be written in one or two sentences.

Strategy : Determine "What" has to happen for the objective to be met.
Step2: Create a Needs List.

A Needs Lists serves several purposes. First it asks the question, "If the above Objective is to be met, what needs must be solved?" In other words, the Objective is what I "want" and the Needs List represents what I "need" to pull it off.

Let's look at the following example. A person wants to turn their fishing hobby into a profitable business.

The objective on the Mastermind worksheet represents what he wants, now consider what he'll need in order to accomplish this.

Here are some of the items which might go on his Needs List:

Customers
Brochures
Business Plan
Financing
A new boat
Partners
Yellow Page ad
Exposure
Tax or financial planner

Strategy : Let your mind fly.
Step 3: Generate as Many Ideas as Possible.

This section is the most vital. Everyone in the Mastermind simply lets their mind fly. They take the lid off their thinking and creates a long list of solutions.

Here are the general guidelines for generating ideas:

Never evaluate
Never evaluate the ideas in this stage, they'll be plenty of time to evaluate later. Now, the focus is on coming up with as many as possible.

Never hesitate
Never hesitate to share an idea. Even if it seems stupid or non-related. What often happens is that you share an idea that doesn't seem to make sense at the moment but will once several other pieces of the puzzle are laid on the table.

Never ridicule
Never ridicule an idea because it might cause someone to think of something else, which in turn will make someone else think of an idea which they would never have gotten if the first person hadn't shared the crazy idea which people wanted to ridicule.

Move quickly
Keep the ideas flowing. There should rarely be silence when Masterminding. Force yourself to keep coming up with ideas. Keep the speed up otherwise you are into your logical mind rather than the Mastermind.

Think Big
Most people play with such small ideas. Think big! If a big idea hits you then share it.

Never reject an idea
Never reject an idea because you don't have the cash, time, talent, knowledge, manpower or resources to pull it off.

Encourage your partners
Encourage your Mastermind partners by your words and action. Encourage them to come up with more ideas, encourage them by thanking and acknowledging the ideas already generated. Never say things like "oh, I've tried that but it didn't work." This won't fire someone up to generate more ideas for you.

Plus it!
Plussing means expanding or enlarging an idea. The fishing example might be plussed by me saying "you could offer fishing in the spring and hunting in the fall. Or you could franchise the concept - call it FISH-R-US."

Strategy: Network for others who can help.
Step 4: Provide Contacts.

You are less than 5 people from anyone on the planet. You know someone who knows someone who knows someone...

If contacts are not generated at every Mastermind session, it isn't working right. Every time an idea is generated someone should ask, "who knows someone, who can help?".

People should be willing to provide the names and numbers of needed contacts. There is a section under the Contact part of the Worksheet for Action. This is here if you want to give a contact but you don't have the telephone number and want to remind the person to call you about such and such.

If you are not familiar with the person being Masterminded and are unwilling to simply hand over names help anyway by offering to call the person yourself and getting back to the Masterminded person later. Master Masterminders generally bring their Rolodexes and open them freely to their partners.

If someone gives you a name of someone who might assist in your reaching the Masterminded Objective, be sure to follow-up. First with the contact, then with the person who gave you their name. This will encourage them to continue to supply contacts for you because you do act on them and even appreciate it enough to call back and express thanks.

Strategy: Determine what to act on first.
Step 5: Prioritize the Ideas.

What often happens after a good session is that there is so many great ideas generated some people feel overwhelmed. We have seen situations where some people have needed weeks to act on the ideas.

Here's what we recommend after the session. Look at the list and evaluate the ideas. Categorize them into A, B or C ideas.

A = Great Idea will Act or Implement NOW
B = Good Idea will Act or Implement Later
C = Good Idea not scheduled for action at this time

Strategy: Get moving, today.
Step 6: Move into Action.

How many times have you seen something on a store shelf or read about some exploding idea and remembered that you had that same idea but never did anything about it? How many people thought about a game like "Trivial Pursuit" but never got around to making it happen. Well, a couple of beer drinking movers did. The revived an industry that was all but dead.

Begin acting on the A's immediately. We find that if you delay more than 48 hours, you won't act on the idea. Do something on the idea the next day. It might just be to re-work the idea or write someone a Thank You note for coming up with it in the first place but do something.

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