Working Towards Something You Believe In
Get ready to kick off Season 4 of the Leadership After Hours podcast with a bang! Our first guest, Cisco Carter, is known as "Nashville's most interesting man." I had the pleasure of meeting Cisco eight years ago when he was fresh out of Middle Tennessee State University, and we instantly connected. Back then, we were both immersed in the party scene, but life has taken us on different paths since then. While I've left the scene behind and transitioned out of the military, Cisco has thrived, conquering sobriety and making waves as an up-and-coming electronic artist and entrepreneur with multiple entertainment focused companies.
During our conversation, Cisco shared some invaluable lessons that I believe will resonate with you just as they did with me. Here are three key takeaways that stood out:
Goals should be driven by your ideals, but decisions based in reality: Cisco emphasizes the importance of envisioning the life you desire, aligning it with your values, and creating a vision of the world you want to live in. This acts as your guiding North Star. However, he also reminds us to ground our dreams in reality by inspecting what we expect from our team and others. Balancing vision with day-to-day activities is crucial. How do you ensure that your decisions and actions are firmly rooted in reality while still propelling you towards your ambitious goals?
Setting holistic goals: Cisco practices goal-setting not only in his professional life but also in his personal realm. He prioritizes his health, relationships, faith, artistic career, and businesses. All too often, we see individuals prioritize their professional aspirations, neglecting their well-being, social connections, and personal commitments by the time March rolls around. Cisco's approach, focusing on health and relationships before anything else, resonates deeply with me. It's a blueprint for avoiding burnout and finding fulfillment. Remember, even in the face of setbacks, nurturing your personal life sets the foundation for professional success.
Intentional relationships: The renowned Harvard Happiness Study, spanning 80 years of research, has revealed that the quality of our close relationships is the key to a fulfilling life. As tribal creatures, we thrive on human connection and joy. In a meeting with Marshall Goldsmith, one of the world's top executive coaches, I received a golden piece of advice: "Achieve for the sake of achievement. Be happy for the sake of being happy." If we tie our happiness solely to accomplishments, we set ourselves up for disappointment. Cisco embodies this wisdom by leveraging the power of strong relationships to drive his extraordinary success.
Cisco Carter, a young entrepreneur with an innate ability to build meaningful connections, serves as a shining example of what can be achieved through the strength of relationships. I invite you to dive into this Season 4 kick-off episode and let it inspire you to revisit your goals for 2024. Together, let's make this year one of transformation, growth, and incredible achievements!
Subscribe and listen to the full conversation here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2166090/14223491
-Sean Patton