Welcome back to another episode of AI powered C-suite living.
Today we're talking strategy, long-term strategy.
Just like a Fortune 50 company lays out its goals for the next 5, 10 or even 20 years,
you too can benefit from thinking ahead.
In this episode, our AI powered co-hosts are going to be discussing how to create a personal
roadmap by setting clear, long-term goals that align with your mission and values.
Whether it's career, finances or personal development, we'll break down how to turn
your dreams into actionable steps.
Let's get started.
Right, so buckle up because we're diving deep into something that you specifically requested.
Long-term success, we're talking your personal roadmap to get there.
Yeah, and what's fascinating is that we're using a CEO mindset to do it.
Not to turn you into some workaholic, but to borrow how the pros think strategically.
Right, it's funny, we hear strategic planning and our brains go straight to boardrooms.
But in those materials you sent over, there was this quote, something about how even the
most ambitious dreams need a blueprint to come true.
Exactly.
It's like you wouldn't build a house without knowing where the walls are going, right?
This deep dive is about giving you that same clarity, but for your life.
Okay, so less about day-to-day to-do lists, more about the big picture.
Precisely.
Think five, even 10 years down the line.
Okay.
Now in your notes, you mentioned wanting to switch careers eventually.
That my friend is a perfect example of a long-term goal.
It's funny you mention that because the thought of actually making a career jump feels huge-y-y.
Yeah.
Like trying to eat an elephant, kind of huge.
And that's where breaking things down comes in.
Okay.
Remember that smart goals framework?
This is where it becomes your superpower.
Okay, I'll admit, I used to roll my eyes at smart goals thinking it was corporate jargon.
Oh, it definitely can be.
Yeah.
But when used right, incredibly powerful.
Let's take your career switch, for example, instead of I want a different job someday,
we get specific what industry, what role.
That's the S, being specific.
And I remember you saying that the M for measurable is key too, right?
Absolutely.
Yeah.
How will you track your progress?
Maybe it's the number of networking conversations, online courses completed, or even applications
sent out.
Okay.
See, that's way more actionable.
So instead of this vague desire, we've now got concrete steps we can actually take.
Right.
This is already making me feel more in control.
That's the power of it.
Yeah.
And because we're using a CEO lens, think about how companies constantly adapt to their
plans.
Right.
And that's what we call a roadmap.
So it's about being flexible.
Yeah.
Because let's be real, life rarely goes exactly according to plan.
And that's where the beauty of having a roadmap comes in, you can course correct.
Okay.
Just like you highlighted in your initial request, wanting to find a better work-life
balance.
Totally.
So how do we factor that work-life balance into these big long-term goals?
That's where things get really interesting.
Remember how you were saying, feel like you're always on thanks to email and all that?
Tell me about it.
It's like my downtime isn't really downtime.
And that's actually a common thread we see in a lot of the CEO profiles and interviews
you shared.
Right.
Many of them are incredibly driven, but they've also learned the hard way that burnout is
real.
So they build in safeguards.
Like what?
Give me the secrets.
One CEO he studied actually schedules.
Okay.
On availability on his calendar.
Yeah.
And he had a lifetime where he's offline, unreachable, and focused on recharging.
Okay.
I kind of love that.
Yeah.
Treating it like an important meeting, but it's a meeting with myself.
Right.
But I'm guessing it takes discipline to actually stick to that.
It does.
And that's where having a system for accountability can be a game changer.
Okay.
You mentioned in your notes, struggling to switch off after work.
Guilty as charged.
Right.
But how can someone else make me log off?
It's not about them controlling you, but more like having a support system in place.
Okay.
Think about athletes.
They have coaches, trainers, even teammates to keep them accountable.
Okay.
So in this scenario, who's my workout buddy for work-life balance?
It could be a friend, a family member, even a coworker who also wants to set better boundaries.
Right.
You share your goals, your non-negotiables for downtime.
And then you check in with each other regularly.
Exactly.
Celebrate the wins, troubleshoot the challenges.
Just knowing someone else is in your corner can make all the difference.
It's like having a cheerleader and a gentle nudge in the right direction all rolled into
one.
And here's another secret from the CEO playbook that might surprise you.
The power of saying no.
Wait, seriously?
Yeah.
But isn't saying yes to every opportunity how you get ahead?
It's counterintuitive.
That's right.
Yeah.
But think about it.
If you say yes to something, you're essentially saying no to something else.
Ooh, that is deep.
Yeah.
I'm already thinking about all the times I've said yes to things I didn't really want to
do and then felt resentful or stretched too thin.
And that's exactly what we want to avoid.
Yeah.
Remember you mentioned in your notes that you wanted to carve out more time for writing.
Yes.
It's a huge passion of mine.
So ask yourself, what do you need to start saying no to in order to create space for
that writing time?
Maybe it's those extra commitments at work.
Right.
Or even just mindless scrolling on social media.
This is making me realize that saying no isn't selfish.
Right.
It's actually a way of honoring my priorities.
Exactly.
And making sure I have the time and energy for the things that truly matter to me.
Now, you're thinking like a CEO.
Okay.
It's about making conscious choices that align with your overall vision, even if it means
saying no to things that seem tempting in the moment.
It's like that article you sent about Steve Jobs.
Oh, yeah.
And how he attributed Apple's success to all the things they chose not to do.
Exactly.
Wow.
And speaking of reflection, that's another crucial aspect of successful goal setting.
Okay.
Just like those CEOs have regular board meetings to review progress and make adjustments.
We need to schedule in some quality time with ourselves for reflection and course correction.
But how often are we talking?
Right.
Daily.
Weekly.
And we need to hire a personal assistant just to manage all this.
I hear you.
Yeah.
And that's actually a perfect segue into another important point.
Okay.
Don't let the pursuit of the perfect system become another source of stress.
Right.
The goal is to simplify our lives, not complicate them further.
Exactly.
Yeah.
So find what works for you.
Maybe it's a quick review at the end of each day, jotting down what went well, what you
learned, and what you'll do differently tomorrow.
Okay.
Maybe you're more of a big picture thinker and prefer a monthly reflection session.
Right.
The key is to make it a habit.
Yeah.
Something you do consistently without feeling overwhelmed.
So consistency over intensity.
Exactly.
I like it.
And don't be afraid to adjust your approach as needed.
Right.
Remember, this whole journey is about learning and growing.
Yeah.
And that includes figuring out what works best for you.
This has been so eye-opening.
We've covered so much ground.
From setting smart goals and embracing adaptability to the power of saying no and the importance
of reflection.
And don't forget about those accountability partners.
Oh, right.
They're like our secret weapon in this whole CEO of our own lives thing.
Absolutely.
So as we wrap up this deep dive, what are some of the key takeaways that are resonating
with you?
What are you feeling inspired to implement?
Honestly, it's that shift in perspective that's really resonating with me.
Yeah.
Because I'm thinking like a CEO, but for my own life.
It is, isn't it?
It's empowering.
And it's not about becoming some kind of ruthless corporate machine.
Right.
It's about applying those same strategic thinking principles to achieve the things that truly
matter to you.
In my notes, I'd actually written down that quote.
If you don't know where you're going, any road will get you there.
But I hadn't connected it to this bigger idea of long-term success.
It was just this vague feeling of being a bit lost.
And that's why this initial step of defining your vision is so crucial.
Yeah.
Without it, we end up reacting to life instead of actively creating it.
It's like we're finally stepping into the driver's seat, choosing our own destination.
Exactly.
Instead of just along for the ride.
And you brought up a great point earlier about work-life balance.
In your research, there was an article about how some companies are actually encouraging
employees to take sabbaticals.
Oh, wow.
They're realizing that a refreshed, re-energized team is a more productive team.
That's so interesting.
It's like they're acknowledging that employees are whole people with lives outside of work.
And it goes back to that idea of aligning your goals with your values.
If work-life balance is something you truly value, then it needs to be factored into your
long-term vision.
OK.
So we've got a roadmap, but like any good road trip, we need to pack some snacks.
What are the essential tools we should have in our arsenal?
Well, we've talked about smart goals, accountability partners, and the power of saying no.
But there's one more thing that's crucial for staying motivated on this journey, celebrating
your wins.
Oh, yes.
We can't forget to pop the champagne when we hit those milestones.
Exactly.
And it doesn't have to be anything extravagant.
It could be as simple as treating yourself to a nice dinner, buying that book you've
been eyeing, or just taking an evening off to relax and recharge.
The key is to acknowledge your progress and give yourself credit for all the hard work
you're putting in.
Because let's be real.
Achieving our goals, especially those big, audacious ones, takes time and effort.
We need those little celebrations along the way to keep our spirits up.
Absolutely.
And you know, you mentioned in your notes that one of your long-term goals is to write
a novel.
Yes.
Imagine the sense of accomplishment you'll feel when you finally type those two glorious
words, the end.
Just thinking about it gives me chills.
So hold on to that feeling.
Let it fuel your motivation, even when the going gets tough.
This whole conversation has been such a gift.
It has.
I feel like I've gone from feeling overwhelmed to actually excited about the future.
That's what we're hoping for.
And remember, you're not alone on this journey.
You have the tools, the strategies, and most importantly, you have the power within you
to create a life that is truly extraordinary.
And on that note, I think it's time for me to start putting all this amazing advice into
action.
Yes.
First step, brainstorming my personal mission statement.
That's the spirit.
Yes.
Remember, this is your journey.
Your roadmap to success.
Embrace the challenge.
Okay.
Be curious and never stop learning and growing.
Thank you so much for this incredible deep dive.
The pleasure was all mine.
It's been an absolute pleasure.
Until next time, keep shining your light and making your mark on the world.
And to our amazing listeners, thank you for joining us on this journey of growth and discovery.
We'll be back next week with another deep dive into a topic that matters.
Until then, stay curious, stay inspired, and keep striving for that extraordinary life that
awaits you.
And that's a wrap on strategic goal setting.
Don't forget to follow us and leave a review if you found this episode valuable.
We're hoping you're inspired to sit down and start planning your long-term vision,
breaking in achievable milestones that will guide you towards success.
Remember, the key is to think big and then work your way backward with smaller, actionable
steps.
Thanks for joining us today on AI-powered C-suite Living.