With the holiday season upon us, I hope you are recording those families memories that will last forever to share with others.

Yes, make sure you take lots of pictures but don't forget to take videos.

The coolest tool we've bought in a long time is a Flip Camera.

It records up to one hour of video that you can easily upload onto your computer using the handy USB that flips out when you open it.

Make sure you get one before all the folks get together for Thanksgiving. You can get it at Wal-Mart for about $150.

If you're not a member of our Protege program, we'd love to have you join us.

Learn more here: http://www.RheasProteges.com

If you want to stay in touch through the amazing social site, Twitter, we'd love to stay in touch!

Just go to www.Twitter.com, set up an account and follow RheaPerry.

Make sure you don't include any underscores in your name; they are too hard to type from a cell phone.

Tweet me to let me know you've joined us!

To make sure you don't miss anything via email, join our newsletter right here at www.EducatingForSuccess.com by entering your name and email address in the box at the top right of our home page.

While you're there, grab a copy of our ebook, 10 Things This Mama Taught Her Kids About Home Business.

We'll also send you periodic updates about cool things that are happening with the families in our community. You never know what we're up to!

One of the keys to success in anything in life is realizing that you can not accomplish anything by yourself.

Too many people are convinced that others will steal their ideas, concepts, people, resources, everything so they never share their thoughts with others.

That thought comes from fear which way too often, does run rampant through the world.

Consequently, waaay too many men "go to the grave with the song still in them," as Henry David Thoreau once said.

Because they don't trust others to help them accomplish their dreams, they never get started.

Wise people who have learned to live by faith instead, however, realize that building a business is like building a building. You can't create a skyscraper without a team.

Belong to 2 Types of Masterminds

Unless you've jumped into the zany world of home business, you may have never been confronted with the concept of a mastermind group.

Groups are organized for many reasons: religious, business, marriage, friends, brainstorming, whatever.

But ultimately, there are basically two types.

One group is your internal team; those who work with you on projects or business.

The other group is made up of random friends, entrepreneurs or others who do not work with you on your projects on a regular basis.

To be successful in business, I personally think you will be more successful by belonging to at least one of each type.

Team Masterminds

Way too often, business owners and managers don't ask their team members for their opinions on anything.

Imagine how frustrating that is to a worker who day-in and day-out probably sees hundreds of ways to make their work more efficient but isn't given the opportunity to initiate change because no one ever asks for or listens to their suggestions.

Yet in the world of small business, entrepreneurs often make the same mistake. We generally know what we want so we work 16 hours a day to make it happen without ever asking any helpers or contractors what they think.

Instead, try forming a small group of people who are involved in the project who can meet together once a week or so either virtually or live to discuss the projects at hand.

It's like asking the five blind guys to describe how the elephant has changed from their perspective this week. Imagine the possibilities!

Not only will you get some criticism and possibly some good ideas, but you'll also gain the commitment of the team members who will be more likely to contribute from the heart because of their involvment in the project.

Peer Masterminds

The other type of mastermind group is one where unrelated people share their goals for the week with each other and offer helpful advice from different perspectives.

Everyone needs someone to bounce ideas off who has a positive, educated perspective to offer.

Whether this group is made up only of your peers or includes a mentor doesn't matter. The benefit is that sharing ideas and problems with others who care about you and who are there to help often stimulates creativity.

Surrounding yourself with wise friends makes it easier to get past inevitable road-blocks that always face anyone who tries to do anything out of the norm.

Create Both

I've been in peer masterminds and I've met with members of my business team randomly before, but I've never seen the importance of designating the time to be in both... until now.

I just finished reading Meet & Grow Rich by Joe Vitale and Bill Hibbler where they explain the difference between the groups and give the reasons for each.

Although I'd personally recommend skipping chapter 16, the book was full of wise counsel from experienced members of successful mastermind groups.

It only makes sense.

If you want the people who are members of your team to be committed to the same goals and be in harmony with each other, spend time at least weekly with them re-evaluating your goals and activities and building those relationships.

If you want to gain perspective from outsiders who see your projects and business differently, meet regularly with friends, peers and other business owners to get perspective about "the other side of the coin."

Life is not always as we perceive it. Letting others show you what's hiding in your blind spots is a smart move.

If you choose wise friends and supporters, it's much easier to operate in faith.

Go for it!