This week has been a breakthrough week for me, thanks to the fact that I just started reading The One Minute Millionaire. I’ve known for awhile that I’ve needed a team to really get things going, but I didn’t get how easy it really was.

Back in September, I experimented with creating a 30-day game, designed to clarify my goals and help me to develop a more optimistic outlook on my situation. It did help, but only in a limited sort of way. It basically consisted of a group of individual players all playing alone. What this book illustrates is a way to create a game that is interactive, and where there’s really something at stake.

So, here’s why it’s easier to form a team than most of us think:
1. You don’t have to have everything figured out. In other words, you don’t have to have a 30-step plan and a detailed set of goals put together before you start asking people to join your team. Matter of fact, it’s better if you don’t. If you have a plan already put together, you’re basically saying “here’s what my team is all about; take it or leave it.” If, on the other hand, you have a general idea of what you want to do, and just find one or two partners to help you brainstorm a goal and a rough plan, you’ll have an easier time forming the rest of the team.

2. You don’t have to manage everything yourself. If you let other people have a say in the goals and plan of the team, you’ll find that people will be eager to help.

3. You don’t have to learn all the skills or know all the answers. You couldn’t possibly do that anyway. Instead of spending two years going to school to learn something you don’t know, find somebody who’s already gone to school for two years and give them a reason to get on your team.

4. You don’t have to hire a team. There again, it’s better if you don’t. If your team insists on payment up front, you most likely haven’t sparked their interest. You only have to pay people when it’s all about you and your agenda. If you make it worth their while to be on the team, they’ll be happy to make their money later. If you allow them the opportunity to get in on the ground floor, they’ll be willing to invest their time up front.

So, how to you get people on your team? This all comes back to the same thing I’ve been talking about all along: you need a clear message about who you are. Did you write your mission statement yet? If you’re thinking of forming a team, maybe it’s time you got around to that.