Words of Manic Monday by The Bangles and modified by Susan Shaner. Musician: Dan Brodax.

Where can you find the magic at work this week?

This past weekend, I participated in a development program and signed up for a mastermind group. I did one of these groups a number of years ago and did not have a great experience. This time it feels different. It's different for two reasons: I'm different, and the leader is truly a role model for the skills I am working on.

A Mastermind group not only teaches you skills but also holds the space for you to maintain a growth mindset when stretching toward your goals. After trying and failing, or meeting marginal results, in one key aspect of my business, I decided it was time again to tap into the collective energy of a focused group and mentor. I chose to get myself set up with this particular group because of the energy I experienced living with them for three days, and the behaviors that the leader demonstrated. I want to emulate her approach.I'm different because I am truly committed to change. The groups I joined in prior years didn't work because I didn't fully commit and wasn't disciplined about the work. I'm sufficiently disgusted with myself and done with that pattern of sporadic, inconsistent effort.

The leader is different because I chose someone who embodies the skills that I need and have struggled with. She has a proven track record of success over multiple years. The skills I am focused on have been both my greatest fear and greatest inhibitor to growth of my business and my leadership.

Now that I have committed, I am tapping into the courage required to go into unknown territory. It's humbling and I feel vulnerable. As a result, it requires that I reach out for help and support. The first time I did this was in a small subgroup of women in the mastermind.

I had a completely different experience - one of support and breakthrough. They were there for me - saw me - and offered wonderful suggestions that allowed me to rethink the title of the book I'm working on. I made more movement on this work in one hour than I have in the last month ruminating on it in my own mind.

This week’s reflection – What additional supports or resources do you need to get yourself set up to shift your mindset and/or achieve a breakthrough? Where do you need to be more committed?