This summer I had the opportunity to travel to Palm Springs for a Mastermind weekend. I was joined by two kickass entrepreneur friends–Courtney, the branding photographer extraordinaire behind Courtney Paige Ray Photography and Andrea, the creative calligrapher of Calligraphy Nerd. We spent the weekend in the most amazing house for three uninterrupted days of strategizing business goals, optimizing our plan of action, and creating memories I’ll carry with me for a very long time.

Our friends at Altez Vacation Rentals graciously sponsored our weekend stay and it was the most colorful backdrop to our transformative weekend.

The Mastermind was everything I needed to affirm my business was moving in the right direction but also provided the inspiration I wanted to take things to the next level. Here are 4 ways I learned to uplevel my savvy approach to business and life. Along with some of my takeaways, I invite you to enjoy Courtney’s photos of our incredibly designed location.

A Change of Scenery Makes All of the Difference

It can be a destination event, a retreat, exotic vacation, or simply changing the curtain patterns in your reading room. Modifying your environment or exploring a new one may be exactly what you need to think outside of your box. As a creative, a business owner, or just a person, switch up your surroundings from time to time. It may the secret to the inspiration you’re looking for.

 

Surround Yourself with Peers Who are at a Similar Level in their Business

It’s necessary to have people to look up to and invaluable when you become someone’s inspiration. But, surrounding yourself with those who are in a similar place in their business development is honestly where the magic happens. They understand and relate to where you are and where you want to be. At the Mastermind, my peers and I shared encouraging stories, strategies that worked and that didn’t, and made life-long friendships all the while. In the world of business there will always be someone ahead of you and someone close behind, make sure to invest in a circle of peers that can meet you right where you are.

 

Don’t Be Afraid of Color

“Don’t be afraid of color” is something you’ll hear from designers, artists, and interior decorators. But how does it translate into the world of business?

 

 

Color represents anything that is expressive, new, unusual, yet reflects your vision. Color is your competitive advantage! Showing color means strategizing your branding in a way that is truly you! In the world of events, I create experiences that let attendees interact with a brand story or message. That requires me to understand the many colors of a client’s vision so that it can be expressed and translated through a live event. If they don’t know their “colors”, I won’t have much to work with. Find your colors, your unique selling proposition…and run with it!

 

Accountability is Key

 

Mastermind events are a great way to connect with entrepreneurs in all sorts of industries. This one was no different. What I thought would just be a great support group of like-minded business friends quickly turned into an opportunity for us to hold each other accountable.

 

 

We knew developing and sharing our business action plans wasn’t going to be enough to make sure we follow-through. We decided it was time to answer to someone other than ourselves! Through regular in-person check-ins, group chats, and emails we stay in touch and keep each other in line. With trust, honesty, and coaching –our accountability team keeps me and my goals in check. Masterminds are an incredible opportunity to meet goal-driven individuals who become lifelong friends, accountability teams, and inspiration.

So, don’t be afraid to step outside of your everyday environment to help stir those creative juices, never fear a little (or a lot!) of color, and get yourself some people who will really tell you what you need to do to stay the course and reach your goals.