Tomorrow, I’m flying my entire team of 5 to the island of Maui for a month to conduct a business experiment…
… about whether or not it’s really possible to create an entrepreneurial lifestyle that actually gives you freedom (meaning, not just a bunch of marketing fluff).
You see, I’ve rented a huge house right by the beach where we will be living together, working together, and playing together…
And we’ve all set personal stretch goals that include things like “riding a 40 foot wave”, “meditating every single day”, “going on a daily morning walk” and my own personal intention to “learn a new form of martial arts (hoping to find a Kung Fu master) and progress from a newbie to a higher level belt.”
And more importantly, we will be launching our new “Sold-Out Seminar Secrets” course from this island paradise (so exciting)…
So….I guess we’ll see if it’s actually possible to follow your heart, work exclusively with the people you love, have a business that does great things for the world, and provides you with the luxury to afford such a wild and crazy lifestyle…
Because I’m genuinely interested to find out if it works. Aren’t you?
Why am I sharing this with you…
Because there’s a few juicy nuggets in this for you…
You see, this decision, to invest a boat load of money just to bring my team out to Hawaii with me was one of the scariest and most challenging decisions of my business life.
Why?
Because I’m fully stepping into the belief that a business can truly be about a team, working together, to create a common vision.
People always say that they have a team, yet when it really comes down to it, most just have employee’s or independent contractors that they “go to” when they need help.
But that’s not a team, because it puts the success on the shoulders of just one person. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t like doing all the heavy lifting myself.
Instead, I want to create a business where it’s all for one, and one for all. I want to succeed and fail together. I want to share in the triumph and suffer in the defeat, with my people.
Because let’s face it, this business game is hard at times. In fact, it can be downright scary.
Yet I can tell you one thing for sure, it feels a whole lot easier to move through your sh*t when you are surrounded by people who are as equally invested in your vision as you are.
How you can create this too…
If you’re interested in this new-paradigm of business, let me start by saying that it requires a MASSIVE mind-set shift…
… From this is MY business and MY vision and MY money…
… To this is OUR business and OUR vision and OUR money…
And that can’t just be something you say, it has to be something you really do. Which means that you have to allow your people to:
- Take ownership over projects
- Make mistakes (on your behalf)
- Debate and argue with you
- Share in the profits
- Play an active role in the decision making process
Because you can talk about “US” all you want, but if the people on your team don’t see any shifts taking place on a real tangible level and on an energetic level, I can assure you that nothing is really going to change…
…and you’ll be stuck in the “solo struggle” for ever.
Yet something magical happens
When you truly and authentically make this shift and allow your people to step up and be leaders…
In fact, it’s truly remarkable to see what begins to happen:
… First are foremost, the “lonely at the top” syndrome goes away.
… And you really begin to feel like you can get through anything, no matter how challenging, difficult, or scary.
… And most importantly, a great team gets GREAT results…which means that you make more money and help more people.
But let me be clear, this only works if you actually have people on your team that are capable and willing to step up and take ownership…
And if you don’t mind me being blunt, I can tell you right now that most people will not be able to handle this new found opportunity….no matter how great it is or how much you want them to embrace it.
And this is where it gets tough…
Because you probably need to let them go and find people who can.
And let me tell you something that I’ve been learning on this journey that’s EXTRA super important (so please pay close attention).
Seeing the potential in someone else on your team will not do ANY GOOD if they are not ready to embrace it for themselves.
Ouch….that one probably stings a little for a few of you.
So…here’s what to do with this
1) Wish us luck on our experiment. We’ll be filming videos and posting blogs throughout the entire journey so you’ll get to see behind the scenes at every step. It’s like you will be right there with us!!
2) Ask yourself the question: do you want to go on this journey alone or do you want a team? Truthfully, I’ve seen SO MANY people be super successful with no team…so it’s definitely not a requirement. Just decide for yourself what feels right for you and then move forward boldly.
But DON’T play the in-between game, where you have a team that doesn’t feel supported or empowered and you’re trying to do everything yourself. That’s a big fat trap for all sides. You know what I mean?
Please Leave A Comment
I don’t see many people talking about this stuff so I would LOVE to hear your thoughts. Do you agree or disagree with this post? What other perspective can you add? Please share your brilliance with the tribe by posting a comment below….pretty please with a baby tropical island umbrella on top.
Oh, and if it feels right, please share this with a friend. Aloha!!
I’m Glad U Decided To Post On Creating A Successful Team Because God Knows That’s Exactly What I Want To Do. I Believe in having intimate relationships with people not just having a conversation with them only when u need something.
And So Many People Need To Be Able to Discern (Know) The Difference Between A Person With Potential (We All Have This) Versus A Person Who Is Walking In Their Potential (all of Their Power/Knowing How To Use It). *This is Crucial in Your Journey of Life Not Just The Business Arena. Knowing How to Use Your Power is What Allows You To Create The Life You Desire. But First You Must Realize You Even Have The Power Within You, Before You Can Get Started in Deliberate Creation.
Thanks For the Post Max.
I SO wish I was there with you guys! But, alas, I’m in San Francisco meeting my new partner. And guess what, he’s a BURNER baby! And, he totally gets my vision and knows how to create the exact culture you described here.
So grateful to be on the path of the new paradigm of business (and life).
Send my love to the whole team. And kiss yourself for me.
Alexis
Oh, and this is key: “Seeing the potential in someone else on your team will not do ANY GOOD if they are not ready to embrace it for themselves.” HUGE lesson for me. Love you.
Alexis
Thank you for your vision. I am starting a new business where we all depend on one another and everyone shares in eachother’s successes. In fact, I know I could not do this by myself,
Thanks again,
Emily
Hey Max. This one totally hit home. YES to you blazing new trails. YES to you figuring it out for others to follow. YES to you taking your open heart, wisdom and commitment to this super fun experiment for the greater good.
What’s especially relevant is that I too am knee deep in growing my team. This week I welcomed to the existing team – the perfect COO, Dolan Gadoury. His heart, spirit and brilliance are reflected in all he does as we work toward a common vision. Yeah!
My good wishes are with you and your team. I’ll be here watching, celebrating and learning from every step you take.
Jane
PS. We last saw each other at the James M event.
I had a small team before, but as my business shifted, I had to let go of my assistant/teammate for a few different reasons. And now as I recalibrate I do so with the support of friends and loved ones who believe in my vision, and wait to see if an assembled team will be the best way for me to go. It seems ideal to make it work that way, and so keep us posted on your experience. Like any relationship, if the communication is stellar, the experience will be too.
Saw this recently – Aaron Feuerstein’s Malden Mills – and think it’s beautiful: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry7_FcSiQL8
As I work by myself, at the moment, this is what I need to do with my ‘one to one’ clients, make us a team.
I have tried it, helping another take responsibility for themselves, but with my help and support, and she ran away and never came back, even though she was having health challenges and taking far too much allopathic medicine, she could not take on that responsibility.
I obviously used the wrong language and started with the wrong person. I shall now use some of your wording:
• Take ownership over their own wellbeing
• Make mistakes, try different things, find out what truly suits them
• Debate and argue (!) with me about Ayurvedic principles and philosophy
• Share their progress
• Play an active role in the decision making and the way forward
• Advise that this only works if you are willing to step up and take ownership of your health.
I will let you know how I get on.
Oh, Please introduce us to your whole Tribe =- photos please!
With love and blessings for a wonderful month, I wish I was there.
Anna
Max,
Thank you for the great post! I can definitely see your vision clearly and am very excited for your new paradise adventure. I can see myself doing what you are doing someday when my business (and lifestyle) grows to the point that the only way to make the large visionary impact I have come to fruition at the next level is to do the same.
However, right now, my business is moving forward fast, but on a smaller scale than yours (and on purpose). I have recently allowed myself to fully embrace my vision for the next 2-3 years, in which my three focuses are on building a solid $650,000+ business, personal development and travel. The amount of business revenue is a very clear number as I have spent a lot of time mapping it out in a detailed money blueprint that is based on my preferred lifestyle. This blueprint is just as much in alignment with my personal development and travel focuses as it is with my business focuses (created with much help with Alexis Neely’s Money Map Program!).
So, to be honest, my travel focuses are solely for myself right now and not a team. I will definitely have a virtual team (Bookkeeper, Admin Assistant, Tech Assistant, Personal Assistant, CFO, Tax Advisor, & Lawyer) and will approach our relationship as a true collaborative team. It just won’t yet be at the level you are doing.
I have finally fully acknowledged that I am not at a point in my personal development to lead the same level of a team as you and what I truly desire is the above level business and travel, travel, travel. That is why for the next 2 years, my personal development will be focused on building a level 2 business and traveling for different intentional experiences and focused self-development in each place. Plus, there are a lot of amazing people I want to connect with professionally in person in other parts of the world that I will intentionally build relationships with along my travel paths.
Have a beautiful time in Hawaii and I look forward to following your team’s paradise experiment through photos and stories!
Many blessings,
Julia
It is really how it should be, cooperation of equal partners, nothing less.
One suggestion is to bring your team to NYC for a “real” experiment.
With great interest to your endeavors, Alisa
Hi Max,
This is a truly wonderful and visionary idea. This is how I see businesses in the future run and expand. Once more you are way beyond all the others. My passion and my intention is to be a member of a team such as yours for I see that authentic relationships is where we are heading. Blessings to you and your team. Aloha!
Max, this is so fascinating. I had just talked about building a true Dream Team for our little “Yoga Retreat Empire in the making” to my good friend Annmarie Solo. Then I got an Email from Melanie Hersch about your apartment being available. Then Annmarie send me this link. Your name came up 4 times in 2 days.
Hi Max,
Puma and I will be watching your journey very closely. As you know we have been creating a team to support our efforts for over 2 years. We have experienced the value of co-creating in paradise. I feel that where you work has a powerful effect upon the vibrational frequency of your projects as well as each team member.
We are so excited for you and the wonderful team you have assembled! We hope this experience brings you all much joy and clarity of intention along with a great return on investment.
Can I come work for you?
Hi Max,
Wow your journey sounds so exciting. I have no doubt that the quality of work that you and your team will come out with will be fantastic. The energy you are creating, the surroundings you are working from and your powerful intentions support greatness. I really believe in the value of team work. I specifically set myself an intention at the beginning of this year to “grow through support” i.e. to find mutually beneficial relationships that will enable me to bring to reality various projects that I want to achieve. I have since met such wonderful people who I am co-creating with. I am also finding that relationships that no longer serve me are coming to an end. At the heart of having a succesful team must be a genuine believe that all of us have value. This sounds like such an insignifican point but too often people operate from a belief system that says “i am okay and you are not a okay” which leads to disempowering others, discrimination, lack of respect etc etc. and then we wonder why people are not bringing their full energy to work. I agree with you though, that some people may choose not to use their value for the mutual benefit of the team, in which case the relationship is not sustianable.
I am sending you my blessings from mother Africa because it is in my interest that you succeed. I want the answer to be a resounding “YES” you can live your dream live. When all of us can see hope becoming reality it becomes so much easier to walk our own enlightement path.
Yes! This IS Possible!
What it requires is that the people on your team are not there simply to make money, but bc YOUR business is ALIGNED with THEIR Vision, Purpose, Mission & Values in Life. This is where the Magic happens!
Go For It!
Jenny Shain
Hey there Max,
Just checking out your blog. I think it is totally attainable, and you are right, not too many people speek about it or have this vision. You are definitely onto something here and are possibly creating the wave the business world desperately needs. It is a refreshing concept and you are a great courageous leader for doing it!! I would love to talk more about the opportunities with you.
Thank you and Matteo for the Diner invite. We had a great time and I am grateful to have met you and your team. All the best!!
Jovo (Vancouver BC, Canada)
Hi Max,
Just read this and know this is the way of the future for all business. I’d like to hear how you found your team. Did you still hire them all or was it based on profit share or a combination. It’s time for new ways of coming together to co-create and I sure would like to hear your experience. Much love, Leah