James Vanreusel shows how being in a Mastermind has helped him…

I spent 16 years as an employee, spending the last 5 years as a full-time CFO. I acted as the #2 person behind the CEO, and played this role with near perfection. I’m great at analysing strategic opportunities and challenges and preparing options with which the CEO can make the final decision.

But until a few years ago, I had never faced the pressure or responsibility to make the final decision.

As I launched my own company I had to shift my mindset from a supporting role to that of the CEO. To grow my organisation to the vision I have for it, I must get inside the mind of the CEO and create a transformation in nearly every aspect of my thinking. It’s probably the #1 factor that will lead me to success.

When any real progress is made, we unlearn and learn anew what we thought we knew before.

– Henry David Thoreau

For the last year, I thought “If only I could present my business to a group of savvy business owners I have an ongoing relationship with. They would really get to know me personally and my company intimately and then be able to quickly highlight my blind spots.”

This was my motivation to join an entrepreneurial Mastermind Group in the UK just under a year ago and have never looked back.

Yes, it’s a long way to travel from San Francisco 4 x per year but here’s what I get from my Mastermind and why I’m happy to make those journeys…

  1. I’m in a group of higher-level entrepreneurial thinkers. When I joined, I was happy to win 5-figure contracts because my results back then didn’t allow me to see how I could do better. My new inner circle has elevated my level of thinking and I’m now pursuing 6-figure contracts.
  2. The collective minds of my Mastermind are sourced from business owners in all different industries. I hear and observe their problems and solutions that at first seem unique to their personal companies. However, I’m now able to take their solutions and apply them to my industry.
  3. I’ve transitioned from being an entrepreneur to becoming a CEO, from being the center of my universe and having everything pass through me, to delegating and creating a highly functioning team.
  4. I’m going where I’ve never gone before. I’m in pioneering territory and I need guides to help me bypass obstacles and challenges. I need a team of smarter people around me and a coach who can help me think into my preconceived ideas to achieve better results. My Mastermind gives me all these things.

Here are a few things I’ve learned so far…

Firstly, you must surround yourself with CEO’s, business owners and individuals who are used to being the top dog and charging ahead without needing to ask someone else for permission.

Secondly, you must have frequent and consistent access to thinking partners. These are individuals who have started multiple businesses in the past, are ahead of you on the path to entrepreneurial success, and care for you and your business.

Thirdly, you need to learn how to coach yourself and ask “What would a CEO do?”. More powerfully stated: “Think of a CEO who you know that you admire. If he were in your situation, what would he do?”

Finally, create a list of CEO coaching questions that you can review daily.

Here are 2 further things I’ve been mentored on to start gaining the CEO mindset…

First, you should always do your best to make every decision as though you have $1million in the bank. Ask yourself “Would this decision be different if I had $1million in the bank?” If it would, then consider changing your decision.”

And second, ask yourself: “If I make this decision, what’s the worst thing that can happen? If that were to happen, then what’s the worst thing that can happen after that? Ask this question over and over again until you feel comfortable with the risk.

“The exceptionally successful individual is an onion, with layers beneath layers beneath layers of success attitudes, behaviours, strategies, tactics, most used every day.” – Dan Kennedy

I look forward to sharing additional learnings on this journey.

Simply go to www.vanreuselventures.com and click the button on the home page to schedule a call with us to discuss your current financial strategy. We would also be excited to talk more about the benefits a Renegade Mastermind could provide you. We’ll discuss what you can do better, and you’ll find out whether working with us in the future could be a good fit. Plus, you’ll be able to ask any questions you have.