It’s a million times easier to help someone else unpick what’s keeping them stuck, or unhappy or frustrated and help them figure out what to do about it than it is to do it for yourself on your own.
We’re too close to our own problems and often emotionally attached to them which means it’s practically impossible to be objective. We can be fearful of facing up to an uncomfortable truth on our own; maybe the business idea isn’t very good, maybe you’re in the wrong role, or maybe that person isn’t considering your point of view. The fear is real and that’s why sometimes it can be easier and feel safer to stay stuck and unhappy.
And many people do stay stuck and unhappy.
Often the root cause of a problem and therefore the solution, is something so obvious we can overlook it. We are riddled with assumptions and bias that can stop us seeing something that is blatantly obvious to other people who are less close or involved in the situation.
It’s difficult for us to ask ourselves challenging questions. Sometimes we simply don’t want to admit that we’re wrong, and we’re fearful of what changing direction might involve.
I heard this expression recently, and for me it sums up why asking help from others is so helpful and important ‘You can’t read the label from inside the jar.’
You can’t effectively identify or solve your own problems because you’re just too close to them.
When you talk situations through with others, they bring a different perspective. They ask questions that open up new thinking patterns and opportunities. They challenge bias and assumptions. They provide space and legitimacy to focus on you, which in itself can help the questions and answers to flow.
Talking to someone else can help us let go of some of the fear because we realise that we’re not alone. Sharing our challenges and opportunities with other people also holds us accountable and makes us more likely to take action.
I believe that everyone would benefit from having someone to help them read their label. That might be a coach, a mentor, a network or a mastermind group. Different things suit different people (and different budgets).
However you read your label remember the same principle; it’s very difficult to work on your own problems on your own. Having someone who will listen, reflect, ask you questions, be candid and kind in challenging your bias and allow you time and space to respond is perhaps the most important gift you can give to yourself.
It’s one of the reasons I facilitate mastermind groups.
How Lucidity mastermind groups work
The principle of mastermind groups was first cited as ‘the master key to success’ back in 1937 by Napoleon Hill in his book Think and Grow Rich.
‘When a group of individual brains are coordinated and function in harmony, the increased energy created through that alliance becomes available to every individual brain in that group’. Napoleon Hill
Lucidity mastermind groups – the nuts and bolts
- Groups of up to 5 people carefully curated for their mix of skills and experience.
- Groups meet every month for 2 hours on Zoom (no travel time or expense).
- Facilitated by Lucy Gower, an experienced facilitator with over 20 years not for profit experience.
- An initial minimum commitment of 3 months (and then ongoing).
Why join a Lucidity mastermind group
- A safe space to share challenges without judgement (that you don’t or can’t share with peers or your boss at work and nobody at home gets it).
- Build your confidence and resilience at work knowing that you have a trusted group who is looking out for you and providing you with the support you need.
- Increase your capacity for creative thinking and problem solving.
- Gives you back your confidence, as well as permission and space to think.
- Provides goal setting, focus and accountability to help you make faster progress.
- Expert facilitation ensuring everyone gets a turn at being in the ‘spotlight’ and have the focus of the group on helping them.
If you’d like an informal chat about joining a mastermind group drop me a line at lucy@lucidity.org.uk or book a call here.