Mastermind Groups

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As actors, we often become solely focused on ourselves. We don't always think of ourselves as part of a team because we are concentrating on getting a single role, finding representation, or working on our craft. It's hard as actors on a daily basis to think in the terms of a team.

The word team seems to not exist in the daily grind of an acting career. But that is precisely what we create with our acting teachers and coaches, agents, accompanists, accountants, etc. We like to call this your support team.

I'd like to introduce you to another concept of team called the Mastermind. The idea has been used for centuries, but was first written about by Napoleon Hill in his book, THINK AND GROW RICH - The Grandaddy of all success books.

"The Mastermind is the coordination of knowledge and effort,
in a spirit of Harmony between two or more people,
for the Attainment of a definite purpose!"
-Napoleon Hill

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 Mastermind comes in handy.

The Mastermind 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 Mastermind Group

At The Savvy Actor, we talk a lot about the importance of networking, or as we like to call it –enriching your support system. Our Mastermind group started as the result of just that. We all met at a weekend financial seminar. Keep in mind that forming your group takes time. Ours took about 8 months to build and find the right people.

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 is best if not everyone is from the same background. Our group consists of people involved in the theatre and acting, but who are involved in different ways. We have a writer/director, a coach/casting director, and two actors with varying business backgrounds. 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. 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 whatever 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 advice, ideas or contacts.

Finally our last round is to commit to what we will accomplish for the 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. One group member started his own business offering Slam Glam Events for Makeup and another negotiated his own contract and walked away feeling valued for his directing talent. Our Mastermind has had many successes, including the creation of The Savvy Actor.

The power of the Mastermind is inevitable. Others who have used this as a tool include: Andrew Carnagie, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and even Ghandi. Take control of your success and begin your Mastermind today.