A few years ago, I took on my first mentoring students.
What a trip.
Helping people take the next step in a business (regardless of if they were starting from scratch or already well entrenched in business) was a joy.
I had no idea how it was going to work out.
I learn’t so much out of the experience. I think Steven Covey said, “if you want to learn something very well teach it”.
Very true.
Over the course of those years, as I was working with the mentoring students, I began to formulate an idea…
The idea became known as “Going Pro”.
It really does stir me up when I see people talking about going to the next level or burning the ships or doing whatever else is trendy or happening at the time.
That’s not what Going Pro is about.
When I first started talking about Going Pro, people thought I was talking about going full-time.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
But I stopped mentoring.
I started working with one of my mentoring students and we created MagCast and ScrivCast.
I had to stop mentoring to concentrate on creating this business.
Now MagCasting and Scrivcasting supports an infrastructure of 2000 publishers and over 10 million App downloads!
Which is cool!
I know teach beginners at the Academy and take on a couple of private clients each year.
Over the last two years I’ve been working with private clients to implement a whole new operating system and way to do business.
Taking the systems used in Agile software development and applying them to founder run business has been the most awesome thing I’ve done for clients
But there is nothing like working with a founder 1 on 1 deep in their business over a course of a year.
So for 2019 with this post, I’m launching my new mentoring series, creatively titled “Mentoring 4.0”
The Going Pro concept is crucial.
I had suspected this even before I started mentoring…
The Mentorees knew all the tactics, or new where to find them. If anything they were drowning in tactics and options!
What they needed was an understanding of what to focus on, perhaps even more importantly, what NOT to focus on.
In launching Mentoring 4.0, I’m taking all the best bits from the original mentoring program and everything I’ve learned from the last few years.
Let’s get this clear up front. There’s no magic bullet, no miracle technique the “successful” people keep to themselves.
There’s no magic and no Unicorns.
Sorry.
It’s clear to me, your success has ZERO to do with any trick, tactic or strategy.
There ‘s no motivational phrase, aseop’s fable, or power quote that will change what you’re doing one bit.
Sorry about that.
The only thing that’ll help is if you realise that indeed, it’s only you who can make the change.
Then why the Justin Bieber are you offering mentoring?
Why would I pay you a cent?
Because there is a way forward.
You can Go Pro.
The reason I’m doing mentoring 4.0, is because I believe there is a method, like I said, nothing I say will change a thing! I can’t guarantee a single result.
The only thing I know is – if you’re still reading this, you’re not getting the results you want, or you’re already Pro and know the power of mentoring and networking.
Look, It’s not your fault!!!!
You’re working hard.
Trouble is, you’re working hard on completely the wrong thing.
And that’s where I can help.
There are three core practices essential to anybody Going Pro.
Before I tell you what they are, I want to be sure you do not believe time is one of them!
It’s not about the time!
It’s not about bloody hustle!!!!!!
If anything, people are working way too long and waaaay to hard.
It is about these three things.
Three crucial areas define Going Pro.
The first is what should you be focusing on, and perhaps more importantly, what you shouldn’t you be focusing on.
As I said before, my mentoring students have access to all the tactics they could need or want. The issue was far more about what they should be focusing on (or perhaps more importantly, what they shouldn’t focusing on).
The second part of focus – the ability to block out chunks of time where you can apply the processes which are going to make you money.
We will get to processes in a minute.
In the mentoring program we have successfully introduced the concept of CFT (Critical Focus Time). This technique is called many things by many people, ultimately, it’s all about blocking distractions so your brain can get in to a flow and work on the things that are important to make money in your business.
The interesting thing is, the successful people I know, would perhaps be doing critical focus time (or the equivalent) no more than two hours a day, usually a lot less.
This was revolutionary to my students. It’s a bit like Tim Ferris in his book “the four hour body”, he talks about MED, this stands for Minimum Effective Dose.
When you apply MED in mentoring 4.0 into your business, whether you’re starting or have been around the block a few times. You will see dramatic differences in your productivity and results. This is one of the key things being part of a mentoring program and being coached brings to the table.
There’s a process for everything.
Creativity is a process.
If you’ve ever found yourself sitting in front of the computer wondering what to do next. That’s not a Focus problem…
It’s a PROCESS problem.
I know myself when I first started out I really rejected the idea of everything being a process.
I was creative.
I was a free spirit.
I was sticking it to the man…
I was also broke.
It’s only over the last few years I’ve realised that everything is a process. The most creative people I know, and I bet anybody you could name, are process driven creatures.
It’s the only way to be truly successful.
It also stops you being distracted by those cute surfing dogs on YouTube.
Whenever you find yourself staring at the computer, that’s a process failure.
With my mentoring program the idea is to make sure you have a process for everything.
One of the key things we’ll be doing is making sure you’re using the right processes at the right time.
It’s amazing what a fresh set of eyes on your business can do.
Have you ever had a piece of writing written by somebody else and you find a bunch of spelling and grammar errors. (Yes, almost certainly, what you’re reading right now would qualify!)
Even if you think you’ve checked thoroughly, a fresh set of eyes makes all the difference when you’re in the editing process.
Being in a mentoring program is like having an editor for your business making sure you are getting focused on the right things at the right time and you’re applying the right processes at the right time.
Make no mistake, i’m not doing it for you. That would be pointless. You need to learn how to do this for yourself.
Funnily enough, there is a process for this too!
Repeat after me…
“You can’t manage what you don’t measure”
If there’s one process subject to more abuse than any other when it comes to Going Pro, its measurement.
There ‘s a very good reason for this, it’s not your fault.
Your brain is trying to protect you from a horrible truth. It really just wants you to have a nice day and be comfortable and relaxed and enjoying the next Episode of “Housewives of Atlanta”.
By not measuring your site, not checking your stats, you can maintain the happy equilibrium of ignorance.
Sadly, ignorance equals broke.
Every successful person I know measures.
They also have an ability not to take measurements personally…
If you don’t track what’s going on in your business you can’t possibly make it better.
It’s very hard to have $1,000,000 a year business if you only have six people visiting your website every week!
The cool thing is, when you start to measure, great things happen.
If your brain finally figures out, “hey, you’re serious about this stuff”.
All of a sudden things change.
Because your brain doesn’t want to see bad results, once it realises you’re serious about measurement it will do what you need to do to make the changes that will get your business moving forward.
In Mentoring 4.0 we use lean startup principle to fire up your happy customer factory!!
Huh?
I’m huge fan of the lean startup movement and over the past couple of years I’ve seen what happens when you implement this into an entrepreneurs business.
It’s awesome…
But if you’re not measuring, you don’t have a chance.
The only compulsory activities in the mentoring program revolve around measuring.
It’s that important.
Having done a year’s of mentoring, there are a couple of key distinctions that became brutally obvious to me.
If you’re in a 9-to-5 job, or in some sort of activity requiring any sort of mental energy during the day you need to commit to building a team.
I said way back in 2009 Internet marketing is now a team sport.
In 2019, the team has become mandatory. If you haven’t got one, we will build one.
Now building a team may mean only having one extra person. It may just be paying somebody $5 to do something for you on Fiver.
A latte a day will get you a team member to leverage your time.
I’ve seen this work time and time again – happening to people in the mentoring program.
In fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s the single biggest success factor for people who are new to business.
Absolutely!
Being a total beginner and coming into the mentoring program can be a very, very, very smart idea. Basically, you’re taking off a few years of mistakes and are being focused on the processes and practices that will actually work while you establish your business.
That’s the good news.
The bad news, if you could call it bad news, is there are certain things you are just going to need during your 12 months.
As I said just above, you also need to commit to building a team. One of the most valuable things I can do in the mentoring programme is help guide you to build, create and manage a successful team.
By the way – you build the team as you need it – while you are making money. You can start with just yourself but you won’t end there!!
This mentoring program is about you.
Your projects, your pace.
It’s not like the challenge.
With the challenge, you go from point A to point B to point C. In a mentoring program, we will be working with your project and will be doing it at your pace.
Once we’ve identified what your goal is and where you want to work we will apply the correct processes focus and measurement to get you moving forward. Whether you are a beginner or a pro already who wants to take the next step.
So what’s in the mentoring program, what do you get! What’s involved?
The first element of the mentoring program is…
Is a one on one meeting with me for 30 min at least once a week during the next 12 months.
We use the wonderful calendly appointment system so scheduling is easy.
This is the meat of the program.
We’ve really refined this process so you can absolutely get the maximum value out of each session.
You also get UNLIMITED EMERGENCY CALLS
What?
If you hit a stumbling block I want to know about it and I want to help.
We have a bunch of rules and processes around the EMERGENCY CALLS and its worked brilliantly.
I couldn’t think of doing a mentoring program without it.
I do not outsource the calls. It’s all me.
After three months you may wish it wasn’t me, but too bad you’re stuck with me.
Oh, by the way-I’ve heard some horror stories from mentoring students where they would sign up to a program to be mentored by somebody and then all of a sudden you’re palmed off to be mentored by somebody’s persons team.
That won’t happen here!
Like I said before, you’ll be stuck with me whether you like it or not.
During the 12 months of your mentorship any seminars we run during the time of your mentoring will also be free. You just need to pay to get the accommodation. You don’t need to pay any admission fees.
We also have the visit in Melbourne program.
It was very humbling that mentors from all over the planet would come and spend the time with me here in Melbourne.
I loved it.
If you’re ever in town, give me some notice and we can spend time working on your business at my favourite coffee shop.
This worked extraordinarily well last time and I hope more people take advantage of it this year.
The first thing you need to know is the price.
The price rules the above for 12 months of mentoring is $9900 US Dollars.
As I mentioned above, there are a couple of compulsory measurement activities you need to do during the 12 months of your mentorship.
It is crucial these are done.
If your interested the next step is very simple.
Send me an e-mail to [email protected]
When I receive your application. I’ll send you some details of where you can send the $9900 USD.
Please understand at this point I treat the $9900 USD as a deposit. It’s only after we have had a one-on-one interview with all the applicants will I be able confirm your acceptance into the program.
This is not marketing crap.
Due to the popularity of the mentoring programme last time I had to turn away many, many people. It was very unpleasant.
You need to be certain this is something you want to do. You MUST want to go pro.
Once I receive your deposit i’ll make a time with you for our one-on-one where we’ll talk over the terms and conditions of the programme.
Bluntly, i’ll try talk you out of it. If I don’t put you off, I’ll answer any questions you have.
I fully realise this is not for everybody.
When I started out last time, I really had no idea what would happen.
It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.
To see the growth in the mentoreess has been incredibly gratifying. To see so many of them want to do it for multiple years was even more gratifying.
Spaces are extremely limited. As mentioned prior – not marketing crap.
If you have a look above what I provide you can understand why the program is indeed extremely limited. Remember – Unlimited Emergency Calls!!!
I’d really love to work with you over the next 12 months and get you on the path of Going Pro. I’ve never received more satisfaction than in working with my past mentoring students.
I’d love you to become part of mentoring 4.0
The next step, is simple.
Send an e-mail to [email protected]
Let’s do this.
Ed
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