There's a fantastic African quote that's one of my all-time favorites. 

To go fast, go alone. To go far, go together.

I have a firm belief that when it comes to giving birth to a dream, we are more likely to make things happen when we are working with other people than when we try to do it all on our own. Making a dream happen is a marathon, not a sprint, and we need support along the way.

Unfortunately, American culture is very hung up on the myth of the individual genius--the inventor who toils away alone in his basement or the "Lone Ranger" entrepreneur who builds a multimillion dollar business from the sweat of her (singular) brow. 

Forget that these stories of not needing anyone else to be successful are completely false. They are an enduring part of the culture and they reinforce this idea that we are solely responsible for our own success. 

But the reality is that although there are actions and tasks that only you can do when it comes to making a dream or project happen, working toward your goals with a community of like-minded people can turbo-charge your efforts beyond what you would imagine.

Here are 6 reasons to connect with (or create your own) Mastermind Group to achieve your dreams:

1. Community Support

When you are working on your own to achieve your goals, it can be very isolating and lonely. Humans are social creatures (even those of us who are introverted) and we do best when we feel like we are part of a community. 

A Mastermind group of like-minded folks who are working together to achieve their personal and professional goals creates an environment of support and belonging that increases your positive feelings and helps you feel like you are connected to something larger than yourself. 

You are also able to share your individual trials and tribulations and provide each other with support during difficult times.  And celebrations of success are much sweeter when you do it with a community of people who have been working with you on the way. 

2. Accountability

One of the most important reasons to work with a Mastermind Group is the accountability factor. Each time you meet, you share goals and progress and your fellow Mastermind Group members can help you keep on track toward achieving your goals. 

Ideally you find people to work with who are willing to call you out (with compassion) if you aren't making progress. They can notice where you tend to get hung up and make suggestions and provide support when you stumble. 

They can also give you the nudges you may need to keep making progress and be there to talk to when you need to brainstorm about how to deal with obstacles and challenges. 

3. Resources

Mastermind Group members can also be a great source of resources--be that information, new connections, ideas, whatever. 

In fact, one good reason to create a Mastermind Group is to pool your resources and give each other access to your networks. You may find that there are services you could share or investments you could make together that bring multiple dreams into reality. 

4. Feedback

One of the best things I've gotten from my own participation in  Mastermind Groups is the opportunity to get feedback on projects or ideas. I can easily get stuck in my own head and when I present my project to my Mastermind friends, they are able to quickly point out where I need to get out of my own way or might think differently. 

They are also able to offer me different perspectives and reactions. This has helped me revamp my projects or revisit assumptions I was making. 

5. Inspiration

Mastermind Groups can be great sources of inspiration. I've had multiple situations where talking through an unrelated problem or challenge for one member has given me fantastic insights into something I'm struggling with on one of my own projects. 

At other times, I've been down about a project that has been dragging on and my Mastermind friends have been able to remind me of my original motivations or just give me  a badly-needed pep talk. 

6. Opportunities

Something else a good Mastermind Group can bring is opportunity. I've found in particular that when other people know what you're working on, they tend to be on the lookout for possibilities that might connect to your dream. More than once I've been given leads or new opportunities because of my involvement in a Mastermind Group. And I've done the same for others. 

Whether your goals are personal or professional--or a combination of the two--a Mastermind group can be a key strategy for achieving them. 

What's been your experience with Masterminds? Have you ever started or been a member of one? How has this paid off for you?