Hi ,
Some people swear by solo work.
They insist they get more done when they shut the door and just focus.
Others can’t imagine working without collaborators, teammates, sounding boards.
They thrive in conversation, through exchange.
Both are right.
And both are incomplete.
Because no matter how independent you are, your progress isn’t truly solo.
The knowledge you apply, the frameworks you use, the very language you think in—all shaped by others.
The real question isn’t whether you work alone or with others.
It’s who you surround yourself with.
There’s a model I once heard that I’ve never forgotten:
Plus. Minus. Equal.
Plus are the people ahead of you on the path.
The ones you learn from.
Mentors. Coaches. Experts. Even authors you’ve never met.
In 2005, I was unclear about the work I was doing and the path I was on.
My mentor Michael Gerber looked me in the eye and said:
"Kayvon, entrepreneurship is not about waiting to see what happens. It is about making what you see happen."
That moment changed the way I thought about my work.
Minus are the people you help.
The ones you mentor or teach.
Just last week, I was speaking with someone stuck on how to position her business.
I kept pressing—why should someone choose you?
After 20 minutes, she nailed a solid draft of her competitive advantage.
Helping her helped me refine my own thinking too.
Equals are peers.
The people who walk beside you.
Colleagues, friends, rivals, support groups.
For the past 8 years, I’ve been part of a men’s group with a few other guys.
We’ve seen each other through job losses, new businesses, big moves, heartbreak, parenthood, and everything in between.
We challenge each other. We show up.
I can’t imagine my life without them.
Here’s the takeaway:
You don’t need a huge network.
But you do need your Plus, Minus, and Equals.
Choose 2–3 people in each group.
Assign them in your mind—or better yet, on paper.
If any category is missing, go find someone.
Hire a coach. Join a group. Mentor someone.
The more official the relationship, the more powerful it becomes.
And yes—money helps. Especially for Plus and Minus roles. When there’s skin in the game, the stakes rise.
In a week or two, I’ll be hosting a new training that dives deeper into this idea and more.
Watch your inbox.
And in the meantime, check the links below my signature—you might find something useful there right now.
Relentlessly dedicated to your profitability,
Dr. Kayvon K
Simplifier & Profit Finder
Let's connect: LinkedIn
Meeting: TalkToKayvon.com
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