I'm making great progress in creating my new web-based Mastermind group for Mastermind group leaders, which I've named the "Insiders". I thought I'd give you an update on where I am, and more importantly tell you why I think this new group is such an important resource.
For the past 11+ years, my main Mastermind group has helped me live my dream of being a writer and publisher on my own terms. I had the dream: they helped me get here with advice, tools, and strategies that would have taken me forever to learn on my own -- if I knew where to look and what to ignore.
As the "dotcom" craze hit in the late 1990s, there was in fact probably more to ignore than to do -- especially for those of us with online businesses. All sorts of fads, crazy ideas, and boneheaded business plans led all sorts of startup businesses into bankruptcy, but my group helped me to know what new things to try and, more importantly, what to ignore. The result: when the "dotcom recession" hit, my business not only didn't suffer, it thrived -- 2001 was a record income year for me. And in 2002, when the brunt of the recession hit the U.S. and so many were losing their jobs, my business income was up 34% over 2001! I couldn't possibly have had incredible results like that without the support I got from my group.
How much better would things have been for you during those years if you had that kind of advantage, that kind of help in your business or profession?
Don't get me wrong: I certainly have had a couple of down years too, but I'm convinced they would have been much worse for my business without my group's members helping each other out with expert, inside information.
Fast-Forward to the Present
That was then, and this is now: we're all here, in mid-2010, and in the middle of the so-called Great Recession. When I say "in the middle", I mean that: this week Newsweek magazine noted that so far this year, 90 U.S. banks have failed. In the same period last year, a year which most thought was the deepest of the recession, "only" 45 U.S. banks failed. So on that measure, things are twice as bad this year as last year. Yet for me, business is better this year than during the same period last year.
But I know that's not the case for everyone, and maybe the worst of the layoffs and slowdowns are yet to come. In fact I'm a little bit pessimistic: I think things will get worse before they get better. People are still losing their jobs, or seeing their business receipts slide. Me, I'll be relying on my group for help no matter what happens. What about you?
More than ever, a Mastermind group can help you, just like mine's been helping me all these years. Now, my goal is to help you -- at least, those of you who are serious about starting and running a group, so that you and your group members can have the same kind of success that I've been having for years. In this business environment, people need help to reach their potential, to achieve their dreams. The same kind of help I've been getting for years, and continue to get.
With my 14+ years of Mastermind experience, I know what it takes to start and run a successful group. I'm ready to share my knowledge with Mastermind Source members who are ready to move forward. That's why I'm starting the "Insiders" group -- the Mastermind group for Mastermind group leaders. I know that will take quite a bit of my time, and members will want to get a lot out of the group. I intend to deliver.
What If You're Not Ready Yet?
I know that, at this point, only a small fraction of the more than 2,000 members of this site are ready to move forward -- and that's OK! Not everyone is "leader" material; not everyone is sure they can benefit from a group; and not everyone who is ready to move forward can right now.
If that's you, again: that's OK. When you are ready, I hope to also be ready to take more Insiders on in the new group. That might be a month from now, it might be three months from now, but it will happen, and I'll post a new blog entry to let you know when I'm ready to take on more members. Meanwhile, I'll soon be ready to take on up to 50 Charter members in the new group.
Where I Am Now In The Process
I'm still trying to get up to speed with the new software; not surprisingly, it's a little harder than I hoped, and I'm a little bit behind schedule. But I am making great progress in getting the site set up, and I still think I can launch at the end of the month.
So far, I have far more than 50 people who have expressed strong interest in joining the new Insiders group. Since my limit of 50 is strict, I will be able to accommodate only a portion of the interested members I've heard from. So I apologize in advance if I have to cut things off before everyone who wants in gets a chance to get in.
This Friday, I'll be sending e-mail to the "leader list" -- the people who have let me know they're interested in joining the new group, telling them they have 24 hours to sign up as Charter members. If that group doesn't fill up all 50 Charter spots, on Saturday I'll send another e-mail to the main Mastermind Source list, letting you know how many spaces are still available. Whatever happens first -- another 24 hours go by, or all 50 spots are filled -- will be the cutoff on the "membership drive" so the new group can get started on working toward their goals.
Again, I have a lot more than 50 people on the "leaders list", so there may not be a message on Saturday to the main list -- I won't send it if all 50 spots are filled. In my last post I said it wasn't too late to get on that list. (Update: Open enrollment is over. But see below!)
What About the "Majority"?
I know this leaves most of you in the status quo. And again, that's OK. I'm not taking the site down, I'm not stopping the free article series, and I still encourage you to think more about what a group can do for you. I'm only one person, but I'll help as much as I can, when I can.
Meanwhile, again, you have until the end of day Thursday to let me know you want to be on the Leaders List.
P.S.: I'm interested to know where you are in the process of starting a group, whether you want to be in the Insiders group or not. Use the Comments below to fill me in. Thanks!
Post-Launch UpdateThe "open enrollment" period has ended. I had hoped for at least 20 members for the "Insiders" group, and was willing to accept as many as 50 -- and got 46. Already at least one new group has been started by an Insider, and people are starting to sign up for it. Wondeful! But I'm still not willing to take on a huge influx of members to the Insiders group. I want to ramp up slowly to ensure I have time to pay attention to the goings on. As I can free up more time, I'll accept more members. So I'm taking applications for membership. If you're truly serious about starting your own group, and want help from other people who are serious (and from me), you should put in your application for Insiders now. I'll be looking through the applications as they come in, and as I'm ready to take on another member or two, I'll choose from the best-sounding applicants and invite them to join. So take a little time to think about not just what you want out of the group, but what help you can offer to the group -- software expertise? Organizational skills? Recruiting experience? -- and include that in your application. |
I have not started working on putting together a group. I need help with this step. I'm unsure who needs to be in the group - what skill sets should I target? - where do I look for members?
Learning the answers to these questions, and much more, is part of what I am looking for in the Group experience.
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We'll definitely cover those steps early on in the new group. -rc
Thanks for your Mastermind series. It came as I was in a difficult employment position and although I am not quite what you had in mind as your target, much of what you said has helped me sort out my position and start work on my new business. Week 1 got me thinking and subsequent weeks kept helping. I'm on my way now and although I have a long way to go I feel good about it and I have some very positive responses - especially from my wife. It will do well.
I have nowhere near enough contacts for a Mastermind Group and I do not have sufficient acumen to contribute significantly to a group, but now that I have gotten over my hump, I know that day will come. I am building my business and building contacts. And I know what to do. Thank you!
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Excellent. My "target" is people who have their own businesses, or people who are in some sort of profession where there is room for advancement. Can't say if you fit that or not, but even if not, I'm glad the articles helped you gain focus and direction. -rc
First I want to thank you for your attitude toward success and sharing. I know you've heard the thanks and such before, but I really do admire your perspective on success AND your willingness to share YOUR success and the "secrets" that helped you get there.
I had signed up for the MASTERMIND series when you announced it and have received all emails you've sent. I had been thinking I wanted to start a group focused on "storytelling and solo performance monologue". NOT a typical business. I had started reading the first couple of email articles and then "life" (and the endgame of life) derailed me. I've spent the last few months tending to my dying canine companion - now deceased.
So - I'm trying to get myself "back on my feet" and interested in my goals and ambitions. I'm not really ready to jump in on any kind of group at this point. But I did want to take this opportunity to ask - How relevant or useful might this MASTERMIND concept be in regards to "the arts"?
I'll confess I am not in the performing arts presently, but it IS where I'm aiming to go (after too many years of "wanting" to do this.) Midlife "lane change".
I know you're a very busy guy and any time you can spare to offer up some comments will be much appreciated.
And again, thanks for sharing so much of what's helped make you successful.
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You're most welcome. Yes, I think this can be quite useful in the arts. One of my group members decided to drop his main business, move to Hollywood, and pursue an acting career. It has been fantastic to watch his progress (lots of guest spots and recurring roles on big TV shows, as well as movie offers). We have helped with that a little, but I know he is working with other actors, too, to learn the insider tricks and get ahead. Meanwhile, most actors wait tables and do other jobs hoping for their "big break". So yeah, the concept works in the arts too. -rc
I am very interested in the "Insiders" group.
Maybe I could create a business based on what you teach, but I'm much more interested in creating a group based around the project emailed to you in a previous feedback reply. I'm most interested in how to be a leader and whether I could do it and how.
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It's an interesting project. As I envision it, the Mastermind concept is more for mutual support and idea generation, and the members apply what works for them to further their success. Your project is a years-long task toward a single end goal. The project team would obviously need to communicate with each other (especially considering that the way you envision it, they'd be volunteers), which isn't quite the same as a Mastermind group. Still, you can certainly adapt some of the ideas presented here to assist your networking among the project team. -rc
I retired from the U.S. Air Force after serving 20 years. I then worked for Lockheed Martin for 8 years before quitting to live the full-time RV dream. My wife is a licensed Realtor in California but not currently active. We retired at age 50, sold almost everything we owned, bought an RV and now travel the country doing volunteer hosting at RV parks. If I could think of some way to run a business and make money while we travel, doing something I am good at and enjoy, I would be all over it. But so far I have not come up with anything. We love working at RV parks and have talked about buying our own, but so far have not found a park that we liked in a location we liked.
Since I don't have a business I tried to think of someone I could help by passing along the idea of your Mastermind group. The only person who came to mind was one of the owners of the RV park we are hosting at this summer. The owners (husband/wife) are both engineers, but the wife was recently laid off from her job. She is currently looking for a telecommuting job so she can spend more time working at the RV park. I don't know their financial status, but I know they spent a lot of money to upgrade the RV park.
They have a beautiful RV park on the Umpqua River in Elkton Oregon. It should be a gold mine, but for some reason it isn't as popular as it should be. I firmly believe the Mastermind group could turn things around and improve their bottom line.
Unfortunately, for people who haven't followed you for years like I have, your proposal sounds like any other pitch you see all over the internet. I tried to impress upon her that I thought your idea would work for her, but I don't think I was successful.
Hope that answers your question.
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Yes, a group of RV park owners would be a great niche. I disagree, though, that my "pitch" is common: I give away all the basics for free, and it would work for anyone who sat down with it and really soaked in the details. -rc
I may not be able to sleep tonight, thanks to you Randy! Tomorrow is a long ways off. Just wanted to let you know I'm still as interested and pumped as before. I sense you're a little pumped, too.
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Not sure what happens tomorrow (my group launches Friday: I still have more work to do to set it up!), but yes: I'm absolutely pumped about this! -rc
No ready yet. Still have to think about what kind of people I'd like in my group, and I would prefer to create a group (or be in a group) that has members in several countries (I'm in music artist management).
Thanks for all the info.
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Another person in the arts! Glad to have sparked some cogitation. -rc
Just a comment. I am not even close to ready for this yet. I will be retiring within the next two years, and I've learned that I can't take on any more at this point. Also, I just can't narrow down what I would like to do.
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No worries: this will still be here when you're ready for it. -rc
Hurry, Randy! I can't sleep until I know that I've reserved my spot! ;)
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Heh! Sorry, Don. ALMOST ready -- maybe a couple of hours, still? -rc
Right now I'm at the point of compiling a list of people I think would be good in my group. Once I get the wording sorted out for my invitation e-mail I should be all set to get started.
I hope I can be in the Insiders group, but if I can't, I think I'll still be successful at my own group, and it's thanks to you, Randy!
I didn't realize it until I'd received several of your free reports, but I've actually been dreaming about starting this sort of group for a while, but I didn't know it was something that could actually be done... or that had been done by many people already! (Perhaps I need to get out more?)
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Heh! Well, that's exactly what I'm trying to do here, Becky: help people understand the possibilities. Great to hear you you have made such a good start, and I look forward to helping you in the Insiders group -- I'll be announcing to the Leaders List that the site is open in about an hour. And you're on that list. -rc
Well, the invitation arrived. The new website was visited. Jumped right to the signup page. Got my username registered and logged in.
Now (rubbing hands together and looking around), I guess there is still some more reading on the new site to do.
And I have only received and read the first ten core lessons! I guess I will have to proceed on two paths at once.
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Now that's taking initiative! The "Core Articles" is a free download for Insiders, so you can download that once you catch up. And when *I* catch up, you'll get a Welcome message from me.... -rc