How To Create Your “OWN” Team Of All-Stars

Each year millions make resolutions; and every year millions fail at their resolutions because they haven’t learned that accountability is one of the most underutilized keys to success.  The difference between the present version of YOU and the potential version of YOU, may single handedly be measured by the people you surround yourself with. The more you hope to attain and accomplish in life, the more you will need the help of others – especially people that are smarter or more experienced than you in any given area of life or business.

This month Ask Oprah’s All Stars premiered on the media mogul’s OWN network allowing everyday people to ask questions of Dr. Oz, Suze Orman and Dr. Phil about relationships, health, body and finances. You don’t have to be Oprah, however, to surround yourself with a team of the best consultants, coaches and confidants you can find.

Oprah calls them her All Stars, but I refer to them as my Mastermind Group, a name I adopted after reading Coach Yourself to Success by Talane Miedaner. A Mastermind Group is defined by Talane as a “special group of people with different talents and backgrounds (that) will help you brainstorm on ideas and provide suggestions on how you can reach your goals.” These people are your support system, sounding board and even devil’s advocates when necessary. They help you stay clear of the costly mistakes you would more than likely make if left up to your own “bright ideas.”

Here are a few tips to use as you set out to create your own team of All Stars and create your best life yet!

1. Start with people you know. Think of people you already know across different backgrounds and industries. Make sure the basics like – a lawyer, an accountant, a computer whiz, an artist or designer, etc.- are included, but also think outside the box and make the list unique to your industry. If your goal is to be a chef, surround yourself with a nutritionist or a restauranteer so that you can bounce new dishes off of them or even a publisher who can give you behind the scenes insight on what it takes to produce your own cookbook.

(Side Note: As you begin to do this you will begin to attract all types of brilliant people into your life. Never dismiss anyone because you’re not positive at first about whether they will be a good fit. Schedule a one-one with them to see how you can best support one another and go from there.)

2. Be open to feedback. You can’t enlist the best people you know to help further your vision and then be unwilling to hear what they have to say. If you start this project out with people whom you know have your best interest at heart, there’s no need to get all riled up if they don’t think your idea will work as presented. Be quiet, listen openly and be ready to tweek your idea until you get it right.

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3. Be ready to pay. Many of the people in your Mastermind Group will be professionals who ordinarily get paid for their time. Once you’ve built good relationships where you help bless them with information based on your skillset, opportunities for free advice will begin to appear frequently. Don’t push it though. Be willing to invest in yourself and your vision. Personally, I love to barter. I coach several women who are skilled in one area and in turn they perform services or give advice relating to topics that I would ordinarily pay for. Remember to not take advantage of people. Respect their time and expertise and at least offer to take them to lunch or dinner while you “pick their brain.”

4. Start out where you are. The people in your Mastermind Group don’t have to have a million degrees or even earn a million dollars yet to give you good, sound advice. At the end of the day, you want someone who is credible. If you’ve got a cousin who lost 150 lbs. on Weight Watchers last year, I’d say asking her opinion on weight loss might be worth a shot!

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As always, I welcome your thoughts, so don’t hesitate to add your voice to the discussion! And, if you want to be included in my personal virtual Mastermind Group and share your expertise with my readers, leave a comment with what you do in 15 words or less along with your Twitter handle or Facebook page.

Until Next Time,


Seek Wisdom, Find Wealth & Be Blessed!