As
actors, we are in pursuit of the attainment of a definite
purpose - a role in a Broadway show, soap opera, TV show
or film. We all have different dreams of what our perfect
acting job would be and it's in the attainment of that
goal that the Master Mind comes in handy.
The
Master Mind Group involves a meeting of 3 to 6 people
for one to two hours to brainstorm ideas, problem solve,
encourage and commit to taking action. It's best if these
individuals are in different professions, with different
skills and viewpoints. It is this difference that can
often spark the brilliance of the "Universal Mind".
People take on the nature and the habits and the power
of thought of those with whom they associate.
Forming a
Master Mind Group
At
The Savvy Actor, we talk a lot about the importance of
networking. Our Master Mind group started as the result
of networking. We all met at a weekend seminar and decided
to meet regularly. Forming your group takes time. Ours
took about 8 months to build. It takes time to meet the
people who will help you get to where you are. Jodie and
I met through friends and then ended up talking while
waiting in line in the morning at Actors Equity in New
York. We started one group, but that fell apart. Then
two months later, we met the other members of the group
at a Seminar.
Now
our Mastermind Group consists of 4 people, but you can
have as many as 6. Meetings can be weekly, biweekly, or
monthly. We have met at least once a month since we began
meeting to brainstorm our gang's personal goals and financial
freedom. It's best if not everyone is from the same background.
Our group consists of people involved in the theatre and
acting, but are involved in different ways. One is a writer/director,
another is a teacher/actor/casting director, Jodie has
an acting/sales background and I am an actor with a degree
in communications/public relations. Together we offer
each other our strengths - the best of ourselves and our
abilities.
Our
Mastermind Group helps and supports each other in meeting
our financial and personal goals. We've brainstormed agent
meetings, talked about networking, encouraged members
to ask for raises, and introduced members of our group
to our own networks. We act as a support group and the
best part is we hold each other accountable.
Here is how
each meeting works.
The first one will be the longest- at least two hours
or more. You will want to get an idea of where everyone
is at in your group. What their goals are and what they
hope to accomplish with the group. Everyone in the group
should be present for the first meeting.
In
the following meetings, (we generally use a coffee shop
or hotel lobby) we start off reporting the individual
successes we've had since our last meeting. Everyone takes
their turn. When they are done, my group gives our saying….You
have a Millionaire Mind. Yours can be what ever you'd
like.
After
that we hit our challenges. What are we working on, what
are our obstacles, etc. This is where we brainstorm or
offer advise, idea's or contacts.
Finally
our last round is to commit to our goals for the next
meeting. What will we have accomplished by our next meeting.
Then we set our next meeting. It's an amazing hour and
I always leave the meeting uplifted and ready to work
on my challenges.
At
times, not all our members can be there. We like to have
at least 3 of us present to have a meeting. We are all
busy and have things come up, but we make the commitment
to meet because in our experience "the group mind"
works. The idea for The Savvy Actor actually began during
this time. Another group member started his own business
offering Slam Glam Events for Makeup. Others have found
Masterminding helpful as well. Below are other examples
of Mind Groups and individuals who believed in them.
Examples
of Masterminding are "The Presidents Cabinet",
FDR's "Brain Trust" and Corporate Think Tanks.
Individuals
who have used Master Mind Groups include Andrew Carnagie,
Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and even Ghandi.
