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The Careful Optimist — Still hopeful. No longer naïve.
Membership Terms

The Careful Circle membership terms

These terms explain exactly what membership includes, what it does not include, how billing works and how the relationship can end.

Plain meaning

Enter carefully. Stay willingly. Leave clearly.

Your responsibility

You provide accurate information, use the method honestly, protect confidentiality and remain responsible for the final decision.

Our responsibility

We provide the membership elements described for the membership option you chose, maintain the published boundaries and confirm billing or cancellation information clearly.

1. Guided Membership

Standalone Guide boundary: Guided Membership gives the member access to the complete method in the member environment, all eleven working tools and the published membership resources while access remains active. It does not include permanent ownership or download entitlement to the separate US$149 Complete Decision Guide.

Guided Membership includes access to the complete method in the member environment, all eleven working decision tools, access to the Premise Decision Engine, unlimited decision cycles while membership remains active, the member library from the month joined, a recorded Monthly Decision Briefing, two practical member communications each month, anonymised decision patterns and lessons, updated decision resources as they are added and written support within the published support standard. The separate US$149 standalone Complete Decision Guide is not included as a permanent download.

The Monthly Decision Briefing is recorded and is not a live meeting. The member library begins from the month the member joins and grows forward during active membership. Membership does not automatically include materials released before the joining month.

2. Closer Access

Closer Access includes everything in Guided Membership. The premium difference is four bounded additions:

  1. One Prepared Decision Review each active paid month. One defined live decision is organised through the Priority Decision Desk before review. The prepared work may include the strongest case for proceeding, strongest case for caution, a red-team challenge, relevant questions and a concise Decision Note. Unused monthly reviews do not accumulate.
  2. Priority written follow-through on that reviewed decision. Follow-through stays tied to the decision already reviewed and remains within the published support standard. Priority does not mean instant replies, unlimited messages, continuous availability or a new unrelated decision thread.
  3. Monthly Closer Decision Room with Lance. A shared live Closer session may use submitted questions, selected decision patterns and anonymised cases. Attendance is optional. Members are not required to disclose private matters or advise one another.
  4. One prepared 30-minute private Founder Review after each six active paid months. The review is for one consequential decision already prepared through the Priority Decision Desk. Relevant material should be supplied beforehand so the 30 minutes can focus on examination rather than basic discovery. The entitlement does not create unlimited consulting time.

Guided Membership includes written support within the published support standard. Closer Access includes priority written follow-through within that same standard. The final decision and responsibility remain with the member.

3. Written support

Guided Membership includes written support within the published support standard. Closer Access includes priority written support within that same standard. Priority affects the order of prepared attention. It does not mean instant replies, unlimited messages, continuous availability or open-ended private consulting.

4. Monthly billing and cancellation

Monthly membership renews each billing cycle until ended in accordance with these terms. A monthly member may cancel by giving one billing cycle’s written notice.

One final billing cycle follows the written notice. Membership remains fully active throughout that final paid billing cycle. When the notice is received, we will confirm the date received, the final payment date, the date recurring billing will stop and the date membership access will end.

5. Annual billing and non-renewal

Annual membership covers the annual period purchased and renews annually unless notice is given before renewal. Giving notice prevents the next annual renewal. Access continues until the end of the annual period already paid for. Unused portions are not ordinarily refunded except where applicable law requires otherwise.

Independent Decision File is separate

The US$695 Independent Decision File is a one-off product, not a membership entitlement. It includes no eleven member tools, member library, recurring briefings, Decision Room or ongoing support relationship. Its scope, customer preparation, written Decision File and focused Decision Debrief are governed by the separate Independent Decision File terms.

Read the Independent Decision File terms.

6. Decision boundaries

The Careful Circle does not make the final decision, certify an opportunity, guarantee success, income, profit or safety from loss, or replace legal, financial, tax, medical or other regulated professional advice. Independent verification remains the member’s responsibility.

7. Privacy and conduct

Members must respect confidentiality and may not use private discussions for recruitment, promotion or exploitation. Sensitive information should be limited to what is genuinely needed. An NDA process may be available where appropriate, but an NDA does not change the membership scope or professional-advice boundaries.

8. Ending access for harmful conduct

Membership may be ended where conduct threatens confidentiality, safety, lawful operation or the integrity of the environment. Any action will be handled according to the circumstances and applicable law.

These terms should be read with the Privacy Policy and the exact billing acknowledgement shown before payment.