Creating Your Inner Circle With Purpose
Social Networks play a critical role in determining the way problems are solved, organizations are run, and the degree to which individuals succeed in achieving their goals. -source
On the most basic level, an Inner Circle can be defined as the group of people that you communicate with most. Even without deliberate purpose, certain people will naturally migrate towards each other and form groups.
The attraction factors include things like values, friendship, influence, views, trust and even differences. Consider the people that you communicate with on a regular basis – that are in your Skype list, that stand out to you on Twitter, that have your personal email address or your mobile number.
You probably already have an Inner Circle, even if only loosely defined. This personal network is one of very strong influence though, and should be created with deliberate purpose…
With the rise of Social Media, our personal and professional networks can grow quite large. But there is still a need to create an Inner Circle, or a core network of influence. In fact, its one of the very few keys to personal success.
Imagine for a moment that your contact list is limited to five people. Carefully consider the five people that you would choose to include in your Inner Circle – and why. What role do they play in your quest for success?
Five is obviously too few, but that simple exercise can help us to see the value in specific relationships. It forces us to evaluate them, and handpick the points of influence in our lives. Putting serious consideration into that exercise will reveal your strongest desires and your goals.
In Small Business Success, Mark LeBlanc teaches a method of creating your Inner Circle that he calls Target 25. It is a method of choosing and communicating with 25 people with deliberate purpose. I highly recommend that you grab a copy of Mark’s book and study this Target 25 concept yourself.
The people that you communicate with on a regular basis have a strong influence on you, and you them. Choosing those people from your larger profesional network that will become your Inner Circle is a critical process.
The first step is in defining your filters, or the criteria for your Inner Circle. To do that, you need a very clear vision of your long-term goals.
Where are you going, how will you get there, and who do you need to connect with to make that happen?
Creating that smaller group of only 25 people that you communicate with more intimately is not a limitation. Quite the opposite, it expands your professional network exponentially. It boils down to that old saying: “I dont have to know everybody… I just have to know people who do.â€
I encourage you to define your own Inner Circle very deliberately, and create a specific plan to communicate with those people on a regular basis. You’ll be amazed at the results.
Best,
p.s. I am in the process of restructuring my mastermind group. If you would like to be a part of that very elite Inner Circle, now is the prime time to get involved. I cant give you any details just yet on the phenomenal growth that will unfold over the next 12 months, but suffice it to say that being “in” now will be well worth the nominal investment 
If you’re interested, register at the discussion forum on my primary site and then upgrade immediately to an Elite Member.
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Inner circles are a great place to network and get feedback. I love my inner circle and love some of the great feedback I get from them.
I’m all for it, Lynny!
The timing looks right.
I think Twitter has already increased my circle. If not, it’ll definitely help!
It’s great to be a part of inner circle. You become better along with others in the group. Actually, one of the top bloggers actually created a ning network and I was a part of it. It was going great and we had good fun and also improved together. But at some point everyone became busy and the network came to an abrupt end. But it was very helpful when it was there. I would love to be a part of inner circle again.
Ok, you hit my hot buttons, The Power of Associations and Purpose. Some of the best material I have read on this is Napoleon Hill’s The Master-Key to Riches based on Andrew Carnegie’s work. He explains the MasterMind principle and Definiteness of Purpose in great detail. Hill states that one’s major purpose must be backed up with continuous effort “the most important part of which consists in the sort of relationship one maintains with others”.
To determine if my associations are correct I ask a few questions.
1. Who am I hanging around with?
2. What are they doing?
3. How is that affecting me?
4. Is that acceptable?
The answers determine if I limit/eliminate that association, or expand on that association.
Combined also with seeking out new and empowering associations.
Because our time with those in our chosen inner circle is limited and therefore valuable, I believe they should be chosen with purpose. The person who tries to get ahead without a Definite Major Purpose will usually meet with difficulties far greater than the average person can handle.
Lynne …. I have a passion for a million visitors that’s so strong …. It keeps me awake at night.
Possibly we can collaborate.
Regards.
Ted
I’ve been trying to build an inner circle idea for a while but the people i have started to work with usually fall by the way side when the hard work becomes a reality.
Going to check out the forum now.
Wayne
Hi Lynn
Although a newbie – this concept is close to my heart. I went on an amazing ‘life-changing’ trip to the Antarctic back in March … and met a great crowd of people … the one thing we’d in common was in looking to LIVE life differently and carve out something better (than the ‘norm’) for ourselves.
After the trip Cim (our Sparkle Coach – for women over 40) suggested a weekly Skype call and we’ve been having those every Thursday since …
Similar to a comment above – our group are all busy now pursuing different things and becoming successful in their chosen areas and the groups number is diminishing from the calls although a bit of social is always welcome – though not always possible as we are scattered around the UK and Oz. A few of us fell into IM through the 30-Day Challenge (although we each dabbled a little before then) … I’ve discovered that one of my strengths is in finding things out – having an eye to whats happening and notifying the group … I promote others very well … I’d be very interested in such a group as the Inner Circle if newbie IM’ers were welcome … Would certainly understand if not …
Warm regards.
Jane
Of course Jane – but I should clarify. My private community for Elite Members is a brainstorming group on all levels (at the moment). The members range from “newbies” to seasoned marketers, and so its a great place to share ideas & resources, and get valuable input and feedback.
I also work with the Elite Members personally on their action plans and individual business models.
You are certainly welcome, and I think it would be a good match for you – you’d fit in well with the community
If you get in now, you’ll still qualify for the introductory rate (which is incredibly low). Even with the upcoming changes, everyone who is already “in” will get to keep their current rate which is a major plus.
You’ll want to sign up for the main forum first, and then if you choose to upgrade you can do that here.
Follow me @lynnterry on Twitter.
Several of you mentioned your social groups or personal networks change or dissipate over time. This is common, and will always be the case. But with your own personal inner circle, you maintain some form of personal connection – even if through a note or email once a month, or even every two months.
Even then, people will come and go. Such is life. The goal is to continuously maintain a certain number of connections that help you achieve your goals, where both parties have something of value to offer each other. Groups are harder to manage than individual relationships, of course.
I am involved with a number of groups, both offline and online, and its interesting how several people cross over and are consistently in the same places that I am. Those are people you want to make sure you connect with, and possibly add to your Inner Circle.
Follow me @lynnterry on Twitter.
Chuck,
Thank you for the Napoleon Hill reference. A terrific addition to the topic! I am a huge fan of Think and Grow Rich, and have the 21st Century Revised Edition of The Law of Success as well.
Great filters and very good points – thank you!
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That’s great Lynn. Very smart…It’s something that has been on my mind lately. Keep up the great work Lynn! I look forward to seeing all the changes that we will be seeing over the next 12 months!
Follow me @PaulCooley on Twitter.
“Five is obviously too few”
I’m not sure exactly what you meant by that, but on a more personal level, I must politely disagree.
My circle (albeit not including membership sites) is actually less then that, but VERY productive for all involved.
The biggest problem I see (and again from personal experience) is finding, getting to know, eventually trusting, and then comes the big let down.
I won’t go into details here in public, but it can be very…..disconcerting, to say the least.
Right word? I’m sure you get my meaning
BTW Lynn, lately I’ve had some pretty good articles on my blog in regards to social networking (with plenty of link love available
)
If you have a few minutes to spare sometime, I’d love for you and/or some of your awesome readers to pop by and give some knowledge
I’ll check that out, Dennis!
As for your previous comment, yes – I do get your meaning, and have experienced the same myself over the years of course. People will always come and go. And there will be a smaller, tighter core within the larger groups – always.
Follow me @lynnterry on Twitter.
Well, again I don’t know exactly who all reads here, but I don’t really mean just “coming and going”, that in itself is fine, happens all the time.
To put it very basically…beginner turned “guru” which inevitably and unfortunately many times leads to “What’s you’re name again?”
Ahh. I tend to be empathetic, if not supportive, in that case. I know all too well what those growing pains can feel like. Of course, an obvious (intentional) attitude change is a different story. Regardless, we really have to just keep building our own inner circle and continue forward.
Follow me @lynnterry on Twitter.
Our surroundings affect our personality and productivity in a big way and the inner circle certainly has a major contribution in any mans life.. Excellent Post
i’ve created my own social networking using ning.com and its really increased my circle..
It’s a great subject Lynn. I think if we become comfortable with the idea that some people are in your world for a lifetime, others for a day, we can enjoy the benefits of an inner circle without the fear of change in the future. Life is so full of surprises!
About a year and a half ago, I read about the concept of the mastermind group in Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich. Since then I have formed two groups for two different businesses I am involved with. What an astounding difference it has made! Thanks for showing how that can be applied on the cyberwaves as well!
Follow me @steveborgman on Twitter.
Hi Lynn,
How is it that you always seem to write about just what i am needing. I have been doing the work of creating my list of 25 recently (although I didn’t have that exact number in my head at the time.) Thank you for mentioning Mark LeBlanc’s book where we can go to learn more. I completely agree with the transformational power that this kind of inner circle can have in one’s life. I think about the caliber of people that have come into my life in the past year and what significant impacts they have had on me…it is hard to believe how many shifts I have made and risks I have had the courage to take as a result of the support and inspiration of my inner circle. You are certainly one of those that provides me with regular doses of inspiration! Thank you for all you do.
Amy
Well said, Harmony – and a great point for the discussion!
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Thank you Amy – I couldnt agree more. I have experienced the same over the years, and cant imagine trying to do any of this without the support of my personal network!
Its really great to hear from so many people on this topic, and how your connections have made a difference for you along the way. Working from home, its easy to get caught up in the solitude – but there is so much potential by branching out and connecting with others!
Follow me @lynnterry on Twitter.