The Principles of Masterminding – Mental Wealth in Action

The Principles of Masterminding – Mental Wealth in Action

The Principles of Masterminding – Mental Wealth in Action

The Principles of Masterminding – Mental Wealth in ActionYou can read all the books you like, attend the conferences, and listen to every podcast under the sun – but without the right people around you, you’re still flying solo. And flying solo? That’s where blind spots grow, decisions stall, and overwhelm creeps in. That’s where isolation quietly sabotages your performance.

Masterminding, done right, isn’t just a clever concept or the latest business buzzword. It’s one of the most powerful tools available for ambitious professionals who want clarity, momentum, and accountability. And no, it’s not group therapy. It’s not a friendship circle. It’s not a fireside chat. It’s a high-trust, no-fluff space where real transformation happens.

 

The Real History – Not Just Napoleon Hill

The Real History – Not Just Napoleon HillWhile many credit Napoleon Hill and his book Think and Grow Rich with the birth of the mastermind concept, the truth is it started much earlier – in England, not America.

The roots of true masterminding can be traced back to the Lunar Society, founded in Birmingham in the 1760s. This was no casual get-together. These were radical thinkers, engineers, philosophers, and industrialists – including Matthew Boulton, Erasmus Darwin, James Watt, and Josiah Wedgwood – who met monthly under the full moon to challenge convention and push the boundaries of science, industry, and belief.

They weren’t just discussing polite ideas. They were committing professional heresy – challenging the church, asking bigger questions, and driving the industrial revolution. It was powerful, dangerous, and deeply necessary.

That spirit lives on in true masterminding. Today, we might call it peer coaching or action learning sets in the L&D world – but the mastermind, when done right, is more focused, more intentional, and often more brutal in the best of ways.

The Origin Story – Where It All Started for Me

My best work has always come when I’ve been part of a peer support or mastermind group – whether back in my corporate days in finance and hospitality or running my own business. Isolation sucks. Masterminding is one of the most powerful tools available to break through it.

One of my most rewarding experiences was designing pilot programmes for transitioning elite athletes. These high performers were used to structure, coaching, and adrenaline-fuelled results. But when their sporting careers ended, many were left isolated, uncertain, and vulnerable. The power of a mastermind? It gave them structure, insight, and most importantly – accountability. They knew their personal brand was a depreciating asset, and they needed support from others who cared, understood, and took no nonsense.

These experiences shaped everything I now do. Because whether you’re exiting a sporting career or leading a business through turbulent times, the fundamental truth remains: you cannot do this alone.

Masterminding is now a cornerstone of my Mental Wealth philosophy – a structured space to build your personal board of advisers. Not just cheerleaders, but trusted allies who challenge, question, and call you out when you’re hiding.

What Masterminding Is (and What It Definitely Isn’t)

Let’s set the record straight:

  • ❌ It’s not a therapy session.
  • ❌ It’s not about giving everyone a turn and nodding politely.
  • ❌ It’s not about solving everything in one go.
  • ❌ It’s not a friendship circle – though some of the deepest relationships and connections are forged in these rooms.

✅ It is about being held accountable for the actions you commit to.

✅ It is about structured challenge, fresh perspective, and creative problem-solving.

✅ It is about getting out of your own head and into brave, uncomfortable clarity.

When it works well, masterminding becomes a non-negotiable tool in your professional toolkit. It stops you hiding, starts you acting, and connects you to high-calibre thinkers who genuinely care about your success.

Structure Matters – The Formats That Work

There’s no one-size-fits-all. But here are the proven frameworks that I’ve used and taught:

🔁 The Monthly Format

Ten sessions a year, each a full day. Every member gets:

  • 15 mins to share wins and updates
  • 60 mins in the hot seat for challenges, insights, and provocations
  • 15 mins for peers to say: “If I were running your business, here’s what I’d do…”
  • 5 mins to declare: “Here’s what I will have done by the next meeting.”

That’s 90 minutes of focused thinking on your business – plus hours of consulting you give to others. You leave mentally spent and professionally energised. It’s not easy. But it works.

🧠 The Weekly Format

Short, sharp, regular. Perfect for time-sensitive projects or momentum boosts. Think 15 mins each, a single challenge, and one clear commitment to report back on. These are great as scrums, stand-ups, or check-ins – but usually burn out after 3–6 months unless they evolve.

🏕 The Retreat Format

Three times a year. Two days. Deep work. Immersion. The kind of schedule that forces breakthroughs. Each member gets up to 3 hours in the hot seat, plus group research and planning time. Ideal for people who can’t commit monthly but want proper intensity when they show up.

🚀 The Intensive Format

A set period – say 8 to 12 weeks – of weekly sessions with a specific theme or goal. These are full-throttle, high-accountability sprints with buddy partnerships, weekly progress tracking, and crystal-clear outcomes. Designed to supercharge your results, relationships, and confidence. Think of this as the Mental Wealth Blueprint in action.

🔥 The Hot Seat

Think of this as masterminding for busy people. One person gets the spotlight. 5 minutes to explain the issue. 20 minutes of questions only – no answers. Then and only then do people share what they’d do. You walk away with clarity and a dozen new lenses on your challenge.

Why It Works – The Mental Wealth Difference

Masterminding is one of the fastest ways to build your Mental Wealth Team – that trusted inner circle who’ve always got your back. It removes the pressure to know everything. It stops the lies we tell ourselves in silence. And it gives you the structure and momentum to act.

Most importantly, it gives you:

  • Real accountability – you commit, you follow through
  • Trusted perspective – outside views with no agenda
  • Constant growth – because you’re never the smartest in the room

When it’s done right, masterminding builds performance, trust, resilience, and direction. And let’s face it: the smartest leaders know they don’t have all the answers – they know how to ask for help.

Final Word – Is It Time You Stepped In?

You don’t need another webinar. You don’t need another course. What you need is a room where people challenge you, back you, and expect you to deliver.

As one of my best mates once put it: “When are you going to stop learning and start doing?” The time is now. Go rhino. Push forward.

If you’re ready to:

  • Get brutally honest about what’s working (and what isn’t)
  • Ditch the noise and get proper traction
  • Build a team around you that helps you stretch, act, and grow

…then let’s talk.

The next Mental Wealth Mastermind cohort is forming. Message me directly, or visit mikepagan.com to learn more. Because flying solo might look strong – but flying supported? That’s where the magic really happens.

By application only – I have to make sure you or the person you nominate are the right fit for the group at the time. Some people are better suited to 1:1 coaching than the group – and that’s OK. So don’t be offended if it’s not a match. There are many ways to get supported.

Mike Pagan is a Mental Wealth Strategist, Executive Coach, and Professional Speaker. He has built mastermind groups for transitioning athletes, elite business owners, and isolated leaders seeking clarity, direction, and high-trust challenge. He doesn’t do soft skills. He builds strong foundations.

Further Reading & Credible References:

#mentalwealth #selfcare #masterminding #peersupport #isolation

By PDadminBusinessComments Off on The Principles of Masterminding – Mental Wealth in Action