I've been interested in the idea of mastermind groups ever since I first learned about them reading the book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. I was briefly a member of a group focused on embedded software techniques and got a lot out of it even though I ended up leaving quickly because of other issues in my life.

I would like to apply that same success to learning the art of pickup and was wondering if anyone out there is interested in giving it a try. Here is some information on what it would involve and my first cut at a mission statement and group rules.

All of this needs review and discussion before the group is created. What follows is just my first thoughts on what would be involved with the group. If there is sufficient interest (30 people) I will create a web site and private forum where we can discuss the details.

What Is A Mastermind Group?
From Wikipedia: For more details I recommend reading this web page which states the details and benefits very clearly: http://www.feelgoodgirl.com/node/23

Why is it better than the forums?
A mastermind group is dedicated specifically to helping each other succeed. There is a group leader which maintains order and focus within the group. The group size is strictly limited so that we can get to know each other better and thus provide more accurate help, comments, and criticisms.

Mission Statement
To continually improve ourselves, our interactions with the world around us, and our ability to become physically and emotionally intimate with women. To leave all people we meet better than we found them and to strive to improve the world we live in. To develop our skill at social improvisation with a specific focus on pickup game ("Improvisational Game").

Inner Game, Pickup, and Becoming a Better Person
A large part of pickup is inner game, which frequently has little to do directly with meeting women. Thus I would not be surprised to find that we end up coaching each other on how to become a better person in addition to how to go out and meet women. This is why pickup is only a portion of the mission statement I wrote above.

What Is "Improvisational Game"?
I dislike scripted interactions and predefined pickup routines because they are ultimately limiting no matter how successful initially. I also dislike the term "Natural Game" as it implies just being yourself will work, yet if that were the case none of us would need help learning how to interact with women. Instead I prefer to call it improvisation.

Wikipedia defines improvisation as follows:
Applying improvisation to pickup means reacting in the moment to what is happening in every interaction with women. Improvisation means that interactions are never planned or scripted in any way. Yet improvisation is a skill like any other and must be learned. Reacting correctly to what is happening in order to drive towards the desired outcome is something that can be practiced.

A Note on Mastery and Skill Level
Mastery is a path, not an end goal. As such, anyone of any skill level may be considered for membership as long as they are dedicated to continuing their own improvement and helping other group members.

The Group Leader
I expect I will be the group leader as well as one of the members. As the group leader I would focus not only on my own progress as a member of the group, but also on improving my skill at acting as a leader of a mastermind group.

Group Rules

• Only men 18+ will be considered for membership. This is to allow the free sharing of adult topics among like minded individuals.
• Membership will be limited to 30 people at the creation of the group. This limit will need to be reviewed regularly during the first months of the group to determine a good balance for group size.
• Membership will cost $29 per month, but will be discounted to $9 per month for the first year while the group gets going. This fee provides two purposes: (1) An incentive for participation and (2) Compensation to the group leader for running the group, setting up the forums, etc.
• The group will have one leader. The leader is responsible for administrative tasks, maintaining order, and handling disputes. The membership fee goes to the group leader as compensation for his time and effort above and beyond the normal group membership and for any resources required to support the group (such as the maintenance of a web site). The leader has sole authority to remove group members from the group when required.
• Everyone must actively participate or be removed from the group. A mastermind group is only effective so long as we help each other to succeed.
• Everyone must have stated goals at all times. These goals will be shared by the group. The group will hold each member accountable for accomplishing these goals.
• All members must strictly adhere to the maxim "leave her better than you found her".
• All members must be open to constructive criticizm by other group members
• All online content shared between members must remain private to the group unless the original author of the content gives permission for its use. This is to ensure the free sharing of personal details for the purpose of improving ourselves.
• All members must maintain an open mind when receiving constructive criticizm of their actions and recommendations.

yes i definetly would like to join this mastermind group. tonythomas@rocketmail.com

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Dbes1

I, too, am interested.


EDIT: That sounded too nonchalant. This is exactly what I need right now, I'm in 100%.

yay a group full of KJ's who get nothing done but circle jerk each other with theory

go out and get more girls

Obviously you do not know anything about mastermind groups. i would encourage you to read " Think and Grow Rich" chapter 10 or the entire book for a higher level of thinking

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Dbes1

This is a valid concern. A lack of taking action is why most mastermind groups fail in any field. This is why it is so important that the members be dedicated not only to advising each other, but to keeping each other accountable for achieving goals. This is also one reason why the group needs to be small. The better we know each other the more we can help each other get real results. Would you rather let down a close friend or an anonymous person on the internet? Can you provide better advice and encouragement to a total stranger or someone you've gotten to know over the past months?

If we can maintain this focus on maintaining real life results, there are a lot of well known benefits to a mastermind group. The sharing of information, ideas, and contacts between members far exceeds anything we can achieve alone. The small focused group keeps that information relevant to what we are trying to achieve instead of the random excess of information found on public forums.

VietnameseProdigy, I recommend you read a bit more about mastermind groups and why they are such a powerful tool for achievement before you completely discount the idea.

I will work on setting up a temporary email list where we can discuss details of the group in private (fine tuning the information I posted here). As we decide on details of what format we want the group to take I'll setup a more permanent home.

I found a great site with information on the benefits of forming a mastermind group:

The Benefits of Creating and Starting Mastermind Group (For Any Area of Life):
http://dawnbarclay.com/the-benefits-of- ... mind-group

I have also decided that a smaller group is a better idea. I would like to limit membership to no more than 6 people so that we can hold online meetings via SPAM (or similar) and have everyone participate. Three are interested so far (including myself) and I have invited a friend of mine who might want to join in.

I will start an email discussion to go over the details of the group and to see if we are all happy working with each other. If you are interested in joining in, contact me and I will include you on the email discussion. Once the group has officially formed, new members will be admitted only when the group decides there is room for another person. This will probably happen in a week or two at the earliest as we need time to discuss details and for me to prepare the resources (a forum, a way to meet online, etc.).