The Art of Small Steps: Balancing Business and Life as a First-Time CEO

Hi Calvin. check the newsletter I wrote and tell me what you think:

What do you feel when you hear a CEO title?

What is it about for you?

For me, it was always about power, responsibility, busyness, money, strong character, stamina, and highly developed hard and soft skills. So from the very beginning, since I became the CEO of Olympia, I pushed myself harder and harder every day to develop and learn the right skills, to improve, and to become better at team and time management, partnerships, marketing, project, and product management, you name it.

But what I figured out in a while, is that sometimes it's even not busyness per se, it's a fuss, "Look at me, I am so cool, I am such a busy CEO here, doing all this stuff!" I started asking myself about the necessity of these tasks I do: is it important or urgent, and how does it help develop my business or contribute to my growth as a first-time CEO? Once, I had a consulting session, where I received advice to stop planning too much, stop all the fuss, and work on the most important stuff, and we always know what it is. It became easier for me as soon as I got rid of the mess of "doing" for the sake of just mere activity. I started making small, but important steps towards my goals, and surprisingly, the pace of my growth increased.

As CEOs, we also tend to forget that we are only humans. With our lives besides work, with feelings and bodies, and nervous systems, and families, and external factors, and health, and flow of life, and hobbies. We play in business so hard and think that we're omnipotent, that one day, when inevitably our system crashes, we remember that we're not machines.

At some point, when business becomes more important than anything else, we lose ourselves completely. And there is something extremely wrong about it, and here's why.

You are not a robot. You won't last long working 24/7. Neither your body nor your family will be ok with it for too long. Or your life partners, or your children, or your friends. And in the end, when there is nothing left but your business, you'll be ready to burn it and forget it like a horrible nightmare. But you won't be able to get people dear to your heart back; your spouse, the time with your kids, your health, and friends. Was it what you wanted when you started your business? Is it worth it?

This week I didn't publish the next episode of The First-Time CEO. I pushed hard through the week while going through a major life transition. I forced myself to stay strong and do everything as planned no matter what. On the day of the deadline, I woke up and had a lightning thought, "Why in the time when I need myself the most, when I need self-love and compassion, and careful planning, and time to process, I push myself event harder? How does it serve me?" Besides, pushing myself means pushing others too. My designer is eight hours apart under missile attacks, and last time she worked till 4 am for me so that I could publish the episode as planned. It is cruelty towards myself and others.

So I gave myself (and us) more time. And love, compassion, and gratitude for respecting my own needs and flow of life. And immediately there was this shift that allowed me to plan my life and work better, and record episodes with time enough for editing and creative work, and promo before the next one. Plus I have time for work on Olympia, and my personal life. There is more air and space in between the tasks, and I can breathe, and stay human.

I'm learning the art of small steps from this sweet prayer written by Antoine de Saint-Exupery I want to share with you today:

The Prayer of Small Steps

by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Lord, I am not asking for miracles and visions,

I’m only asking for strength for my days.

Teach me the art of small steps.

Make me clever and resourceful,

so that I can find important discoveries and experiences

among the diversity of days.

Help me use my time better.

Present me with the sense of recognizing what is essential and what is secondary.

I ask for strength, self-discipline, and moderation,

so that I do not merely drift through life,

but rather, organize my days wisely,

seeing the best use for each passing moment.

Help me to endure life as it comes,

with the necessary patience and serenity.

Help me to understand that difficulties, failures, and setbacks

are trials that help us grow and mature.

Send me the right person at the right moment,

someone who has the courage to tell me the truth with love.

I know that many problems resolve themselves

if we do not rush them,

so teach me patience.

You know how much we need friendship.

Let me be worthy of the most beautiful and purest of gifts.

Give me enough imagination

to be able to share warmth,

in the right place, at the right time,

with words or with silence.

Spare me from the naive belief

that everything in life must run smoothly.

Give me the clear understanding

that difficulties, failures, and setbacks

are just a natural part of life,

through which we grow and mature.

Remind me that the heart often argues with reason.

Send me, at the right moment,

someone who has the courage to tell me the truth with love.

I do not ask of You perfection, O Lord,

but I ask for that which gives meaning to life.

Help me take small steps

toward the great and eternal goals.

Amen.

So the next episode of The First-Time CEO podcast will be out next week. And for now, I suggest you watch/listen to my previous episodes, if you haven't yet:

The Evolution from CTO to CEO with Kirk Marple, Founder and CEO of Graphlit (ex. Microsoft, General Motors, STATS, Kespry)

SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | APPLE PODCASTS

From Layoff to Closing $750K in 15 Months with Julia Arpag, Founder and CEO of Aligned Recruitment

SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | APPLE PODCASTS

From Accidental Marketing Agency to Lead Generating Machine with Marco Mendoza, Founder and CEO of Wizerlink

SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | APPLE PODCASTS

Last week I also hosted the Olympia demo webinar, where I showed all the features we've developed so far, and demonstrated how our AI teams can help entrepreneurs streamline their operations. If you haven't had a chance to join, feel free to watch it here. Feel free to reply to this email if you have any questions about it or Olympia. Subscribe to our Eventbrite page to keep an eye on the next webinars, where I'll discuss particular use cases in the future.

For more content like this and first-time CEO insights follow me on Substack, Linkedin, and Instagram, and The First-Time CEO show on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.

If you’d like to be my podcast guest, please fill in this form, and I’ll get in touch should it be a good fit!

Vika Loskutova about 2 months ago

Here's my feedback:

Your newsletter has a friendly, authentic tone and covers important insights. I suggest tightening a few sentences for more clarity and flow. For instance, you might revise "what I figured out in a while" to something more direct like "I eventually realized." Also, consider reworking phrases with lists (e.g., "feelings and bodies, and nervous systems, and families...") into more fluid sentences so the ideas connect better.

The transition when discussing your deadline and personal boundaries could be smoothed to reduce some of the repetitive commas. A minor detail: change "ok" to "okay" for a polished feel.

Overall, the copy is engaging and personal, with a strong call to reflect on balancing business with life. The inclusion of Saint-Exupéry's prayer adds a compassionate touch. With just a few tweaks for clarity and conciseness, your newsletter will read even stronger.

Calvin Sawyer about 2 months ago

Ok, without changing my original text, add your suggestions and make them bold for me to see the difference

Vika Loskutova about 2 months ago

Below is your original text with my suggestions in bold:

What do you feel when you hear a CEO title?

What is it about for you?

For me, it was always about power, responsibility, busyness, money, strong character, stamina, and highly developed hard and soft skills. So from the very beginning, since I became the CEO of Olympia, I pushed myself harder and harder every day to develop and learn the right skills, to improve, and to become better at team and time management, partnerships, marketing, project, and product management, you name it.

But what I eventually realized is that sometimes it's even not busyness per se, it's a fuss, "Look at me, I am so cool, I am such a busy CEO here, doing all this stuff!" I started asking myself about the necessity of these tasks I do: is it important or urgent, and how does it help develop my business or contribute to my growth as a first-time CEO? Once, I had a consulting session, where I received advice to stop planning too much, stop all the fuss, and work on the most important stuff, and we always know what it is. It became easier for me as soon as I got rid of the mess of "doing" for the sake of just mere activity. I started making small, but important steps towards my goals, and surprisingly, the pace of my growth increased.

As CEOs, we also tend to forget that we are only humans. With our lives besides work, with a range of feelings , physical needs, nervous systems, and families, and external factors, and health, and flow of life, and hobbies. We play in business so hard and think that we're omnipotent, that one day, when inevitably our system crashes, we remember that we're not machines.

At some point, when business becomes more important than anything else, we lose ourselves completely. And there is something extremely wrong about it, and here's why.

You are not a robot. You won't last long working 24/7. Neither your body nor your family will be okay with it for too long. Or your life partners, or your children, or your friends. And in the end, when there is nothing left but your business, you'll be ready to burn it and forget it like a horrible nightmare. But you won't be able to get people dear to your heart back; your spouse, the time with your kids, your health, and friends. Was it what you wanted when you started your business? Is it worth it?

This week I didn't publish the next episode of The First-Time CEO. I pushed hard through the week while going through a major life transition. I forced myself to stay strong and do everything as planned no matter what. On the day of the deadline, I woke up and had a lightning thought, "Why in the time when I need myself the most, when I need self-love and compassion, and careful planning, and time to process, I push myself even harder? How does it serve me?" Besides, pushing myself means pushing others too. My designer is eight hours apart under missile attacks, and last time she worked till 4 am for me so that I could publish the episode as planned. It is cruelty towards myself and others.

So I gave myself (and us) more time. And love, compassion, and gratitude for respecting my own needs and flow of life. And immediately there was this shift that allowed me to plan my life and work better, and record episodes with time enough for editing and creative work, and promo before the next one. Plus I have time for work on Olympia, and my personal life. There is more air and space in between the tasks, and I can breathe, and stay human.

I'm learning the art of small steps from this sweet prayer written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry I want to share with you today:

The Prayer of Small Steps

by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Lord, I am not asking for miracles and visions,

I’m only asking for strength for my days.

Teach me the art of small steps.

Make me clever and resourceful,

so that I can find important discoveries and experiences

among the diversity of days.

Help me use my time better.

Present me with the sense of recognizing what is essential and what is secondary.

I ask for strength, self-discipline, and moderation,

so that I do not merely drift through life,

but rather, organize my days wisely,

seeing the best use for each passing moment.

Help me to endure life as it comes,

with the necessary patience and serenity.

Help me to understand that difficulties, failures, and setbacks

are trials that help us grow and mature.

Send me the right person at the right moment,

someone who has the courage to tell me the truth with love.

I know that many problems resolve themselves

if we do not rush them,

so teach me patience.

You know how much we need friendship.

Let me be worthy of the most beautiful and purest of gifts.

Give me enough imagination

to be able to share warmth,

in the right place, at the right time,

with words or with silence.

Spare me from the naive belief

that everything in life must run smoothly.

Give me the clear understanding

that difficulties, failures, and setbacks

are just a natural part of life,

through which we grow and mature.

Remind me that the heart often argues with reason.

Send me, at the right moment,

someone who has the courage to tell me the truth with love.

I do not ask of You perfection, O Lord,

but I ask for that which gives meaning to life.

Help me take small steps

toward the great and eternal goals.

Amen.

So the next episode of The First-Time CEO podcast will be out next week. And for now, I suggest you watch/listen to my previous episodes, if you haven't yet:

The Evolution from CTO to CEO with Kirk Marple, Founder and CEO of Graphlit (ex. Microsoft, General Motors, STATS, Kespry)

SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | APPLE PODCASTS

From Layoff to Closing $750K in 15 Months with Julia Arpag, Founder and CEO of Aligned Recruitment

SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | APPLE PODCASTS

From Accidental Marketing Agency to Lead Generating Machine with Marco Mendoza, Founder and CEO of Wizerlink

SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | APPLE PODCASTS

Last week I also hosted the Olympia demo webinar, where I showed all the features we've developed so far, and demonstrated how our AI teams can help entrepreneurs streamline their operations. If you haven't had a chance to join, feel free to watch it here. Feel free to reply to this email if you have any questions about it or Olympia. Subscribe to our Eventbrite page to keep an eye on the next webinars, where I'll discuss particular use cases in the future.

For more content like this and first-time CEO insights follow me on Substack, Linkedin, and Instagram, and The First-Time CEO show on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.

If you’d like to be my podcast guest, please fill in this form, and I’ll get in touch should it be a good fit!

Let me know if you need any further adjustments.

Below is your original text with my suggestions in **bold**: * * * What do you feel when you hear a CEO title? What is it about for you? For me, it was always about power, responsibility, busyness, money, strong character, stamina, and highly developed hard and soft skills. So from the very beginning, since I became the CEO of Olympia, I pushed myself harder and harder every day to develop and learn the right skills, to improve, and to become better at team and time management, partnerships, marketing, project, and product management, you name it. But what **I eventually realized** is that sometimes it's even not busyness per se, it's a fuss, "Look at me, I am so cool, I am such a busy CEO here, doing all this stuff!" I started asking myself about the necessity of these tasks I do: is it important or urgent, and how does it help develop my business or contribute to my growth as a first-time CEO? Once, I had a consulting session, where I received advice to stop planning too much, stop all the fuss, and work on the most important stuff, and we always know what it is. It became easier for me as soon as I got rid of the mess of "doing" for the sake of just mere activity. I started making small, but important steps towards my goals, and surprisingly, the pace of my growth increased. As CEOs, we also tend to forget that we are only humans. With our lives besides work, with **a range of** feelings **, physical needs,** nervous systems, and families, and external factors, and health, and flow of life, and hobbies. We play in business so hard and think that we're omnipotent, that one day, when inevitably our system crashes, we remember that we're not machines. At some point, when business becomes more important than anything else, we lose ourselves completely. And there is something extremely wrong about it, and here's why. You are not a robot. You won't last long working 24/7. Neither your body nor your family will be **okay** with it for too long. Or your life partners, or your children, or your friends. And in the end, when there is nothing left but your business, you'll be ready to burn it and forget it like a horrible nightmare. But you won't be able to get people dear to your heart back; your spouse, the time with your kids, your health, and friends. Was it what you wanted when you started your business? Is it worth it? This week I didn't publish the next episode of The First-Time CEO. I pushed hard through the week while going through a major life transition. I forced myself to stay strong and do everything as planned no matter what. On the day of the deadline, I woke up and had a lightning thought, "Why in the time when I need myself the most, when I need self-love and compassion, and careful planning, and time to process, I push myself **even harder**? How does it serve me?" Besides, pushing myself means pushing others too. My designer is eight hours apart under missile attacks, and last time she worked till 4 am for me so that I could publish the episode as planned. It is cruelty towards myself and others. So I gave myself (and us) more time. And love, compassion, and gratitude for respecting my own needs and flow of life. And immediately there was this shift that allowed me to plan my life and work better, and record episodes with time enough for editing and creative work, and promo before the next one. Plus I have time for work on Olympia, and my personal life. There is more air and space in between the tasks, and I can breathe, and stay human. I'm learning the art of small steps from this sweet prayer written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry I want to share with you today: The Prayer of Small Steps by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Lord, I am not asking for miracles and visions, I’m only asking for strength for my days. Teach me the art of small steps. Make me clever and resourceful, so that I can find important discoveries and experiences among the diversity of days. Help me use my time better. Present me with the sense of recognizing what is essential and what is secondary. I ask for strength, self-discipline, and moderation, so that I do not merely drift through life, but rather, organize my days wisely, seeing the best use for each passing moment. Help me to endure life as it comes, with the necessary patience and serenity. Help me to understand that difficulties, failures, and setbacks are trials that help us grow and mature. Send me the right person at the right moment, someone who has the courage to tell me the truth with love. I know that many problems resolve themselves if we do not rush them, so teach me patience. You know how much we need friendship. Let me be worthy of the most beautiful and purest of gifts. Give me enough imagination to be able to share warmth, in the right place, at the right time, with words or with silence. Spare me from the naive belief that everything in life must run smoothly. Give me the clear understanding that difficulties, failures, and setbacks are just a natural part of life, through which we grow and mature. Remind me that the heart often argues with reason. Send me, at the right moment, someone who has the courage to tell me the truth with love. I do not ask of You perfection, O Lord, but I ask for that which gives meaning to life. Help me take small steps toward the great and eternal goals. Amen. So the next episode of The First-Time CEO podcast will be out next week. And for now, I suggest you watch/listen to my previous episodes, if you haven't yet: The Evolution from CTO to CEO with Kirk Marple, Founder and CEO of Graphlit (ex. Microsoft, General Motors, STATS, Kespry) SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | APPLE PODCASTS From Layoff to Closing $750K in 15 Months with Julia Arpag, Founder and CEO of Aligned Recruitment SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | APPLE PODCASTS From Accidental Marketing Agency to Lead Generating Machine with Marco Mendoza, Founder and CEO of Wizerlink SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE | APPLE PODCASTS Last week I also hosted the Olympia demo webinar, where I showed all the features we've developed so far, and demonstrated how our AI teams can help entrepreneurs streamline their operations. If you haven't had a chance to join, feel free to watch it here. Feel free to reply to this email if you have any questions about it or Olympia. Subscribe to our Eventbrite page to keep an eye on the next webinars, where I'll discuss particular use cases in the future. For more content like this and first-time CEO insights follow me on Substack, Linkedin, and Instagram, and The First-Time CEO show on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts. If you’d like to be my podcast guest, please fill in this form, and I’ll get in touch should it be a good fit! * * * Let me know if you need any further adjustments.

Calvin Sawyer about 2 months ago

Is the flow of the article good now? Are the section ok one after another? CTAs are good?

Vika Loskutova about 2 months ago

Your article flows smoothly with well-connected sections. The progression from personal insights and the CEO role to the importance of work-life balance feels natural, and the gentle transition into reflections with Saint-Exupéry's prayer enriches the narrative.

The calls to action are engaging—they invite your audience to dive into different formats (podcast episodes, webinars) without feeling overwhelming. The CTAs are clear and encourage further interaction without interrupting the overall flow.

Overall, it reads well and invites the reader on a thoughtful journey while maintaining a conversational tone.

Calvin Sawyer about 2 months ago

Is there anything you'd add?

Vika Loskutova about 2 months ago

The article is in excellent shape. One minor addition could be a brief closing summary that reinforces your core message—maybe a sentence or two emphasizing that self-care is essential for long-term success as a CEO. This could serve as both a takeaway and a final call for reflection.

Calvin Sawyer about 2 months ago

Let's add it! Please write it for me

Vika Loskutova about 2 months ago

Here's a closing summary you can add at the end of your article:

In essence, remember that success as a CEO is not just about relentless hustle but also about nurturing yourself. Prioritizing self-care ensures you have the energy and clarity to lead with passion and purpose.

Calvin Sawyer about 2 months ago

Where would you paste it?

Vika Loskutova about 2 months ago

I would paste it as a new concluding paragraph right before the final section with your CTAs. This way, it rounds off your narrative with a clear takeaway before inviting readers to engage further with your content.

Calvin Sawyer about 2 months ago

After the prayer?

Vika Loskutova about 2 months ago

Yes, that's a great spot. Placing it right after the prayer will seamlessly wrap up the reflective part before moving into your CTAs.

Calvin Sawyer about 2 months ago

Can you please generate a long-form article for me I can download as a document?

Vika Loskutova about 2 months ago

Balancing Success and Self-Care: Reflections of a First-Time CEO

Introduction: The Image of a CEO

When you hear the title "CEO," what comes to mind? Often, it's a mix of power, responsibility, and the relentless pace of business life. For many, the image of a CEO is intertwined with ideas of busyness, success, and a finely honed skill set encompassing both hard and soft skills. This perception can paint the role of a CEO as one of unyielding ambition and constant activity. However, as I have learned on my journey as the CEO of Olympia, these perceptions only scratch the surface of what leadership truly means.

The Journey from Aspiration to Leadership

For me, stepping into the role of a CEO was both exhilarating and daunting. The desire to embody the ideal image of a leader fueled my ambition. I believed that to succeed, I needed to constantly push myself to develop the right skills—whether it was mastering team management, honing marketing strategies, or navigating complex partnerships. Every day was a quest for improvement, driven by an almost insatiable need to be better at everything from project management to time management.

This relentless pursuit of perfection was rooted in my early understanding of what it meant to be a CEO—someone who was always on the move, constantly learning, and ever-present in the hustle of business life. Yet, as I advanced in my role, I began to question this approach. Was this ceaseless drive genuinely contributing to my growth, or was it merely creating a facade of busyness that masked deeper inefficiencies?

The journey of becoming a CEO is inherently personal and transformative. It demands a balance between the aspiration to lead and the practical realities of guiding a company. As I navigated this path, I realized that true leadership was not just about acquiring skills but also about understanding when to step back, reflect, and prioritize what truly matters. This shift in perspective marked the beginning of a more meaningful leadership approach—one that embraced both ambition and authenticity.

The Illusion of Busyness

In the world of leadership, there's a pervasive illusion that busyness equates to productivity. Many first-time CEOs, myself included, fall into the trap of believing that a packed schedule and constant activity signify success. The pressure to perform, to constantly be "on," can be overwhelming. There's an implicit expectation that a CEO should be the first to arrive and the last to leave, always engaged in meetings, emails, and decision-making.

However, this approach can lead to a dangerous cycle where activity is mistaken for progress. The relentless drive to stay busy often masks deeper inefficiencies and distracts from the core objectives that truly propel a business forward. As I advanced in my role, I realized that not all tasks were of equal importance, and some were simply distractions disguised as duties.

The illusion of busyness can be seductive, offering a false sense of accomplishment. Yet, it often leads to burnout, strained relationships, and overlooked opportunities for genuine growth and innovation. True productivity lies in discerning what is essential and focusing efforts on those tasks that align with long-term goals and values.

Recognizing this illusion is the first step towards a more effective and fulfilling leadership approach. It requires the courage to step back, evaluate priorities, and make intentional decisions about where to invest time and energy. By doing so, CEOs can shift from a mindset of perpetual motion to one of strategic action, fostering an environment where meaningful progress is made without sacrificing well-being.

Embracing Our Humanity in Leadership

As CEOs, it's all too easy to lose sight of our human limitations in the relentless pursuit of success. The demands of leadership can often feel all-consuming, pushing us to sacrifice personal well-being and family time in the name of progress. Yet, this approach is unsustainable and ultimately detrimental to both personal and professional growth.

The notion that leaders must be infallible and resilient at all times is a myth that needs dismantling. In reality, embracing our humanity allows us to lead with greater empathy, authenticity, and insight. Acknowledging our limitations doesn't signify weakness; rather, it highlights strength in understanding the boundaries of what we can achieve alone.

The pressure to constantly perform can create a facade of invincibility, one that ignores the crucial balance between professional obligations and personal life. This imbalance often leads to burnout and can strain relationships with family and friends. True leadership recognizes the importance of nurturing these connections, understanding that they are integral to sustained success.

Balancing demands with self-care is not only beneficial for personal well-being but also enhances leadership effectiveness. When leaders prioritize their health and relationships, they model a sustainable work culture for their teams. This creates an environment where everyone feels valued and balanced, fostering creativity and innovation.

By embracing our humanity, we pave the way for a new kind of leadership—one that values authentic connections and long-term success over short-term gains. This approach invites us to lead not just with our minds, but with our hearts, creating a more compassionate and effective leadership style.

Reflection and Inspiration: The Prayer of Small Steps

In the whirlwind of executive responsibilities, it's vital to pause and reflect on the journey rather than just the destination. This notion of taking small, mindful steps is beautifully encapsulated in Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's "The Prayer of Small Steps." This prayer serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of patience, self-discipline, and understanding.

Saint-Exupéry's words teach us to appreciate the small victories and learnings that accumulate over time, reinforcing that meaningful growth often comes not from grand gestures, but from consistent, thoughtful actions. The prayer implores us to find strength in everyday challenges, recognize what is truly essential, and organize our lives wisely.

By embracing these small steps, we can navigate the complexities of leadership with grace and intention. This perspective not only fosters personal development but also enhances our ability to lead others effectively. It's a powerful call to balance ambition with humility, ensuring that our leadership journey remains grounded in authenticity and purpose.

As leaders, allowing ourselves the space to reflect and grow through these small steps can transform how we approach both our professional and personal lives, ultimately leading to more sustainable and fulfilling success.

Conclusion: A New Way Forward

In essence, remember that success as a CEO is not just about relentless hustle but also about nurturing yourself. Prioritizing self-care ensures you have the energy and clarity to lead with passion and purpose. Embrace the art of small steps in your leadership journey, and you'll find that true progress comes from a balanced approach that values both achievement and well-being.

This section, along with the concluding summary and reflection, reinforces the themes of mindful leadership and the significance of balancing ambition with self-care.

Call to Action

If you found these reflections on balancing leadership with self-care insightful, there are plenty more resources for you to explore. Dive deeper into the journey of a first-time CEO by checking out my podcast, "The First-Time CEO," where I interview industry leaders about their unique paths and the lessons they've learned.

Upcoming Podcast Episodes:

The Evolution from CTO to CEO with Kirk Marple, Founder and CEO of Graphlit
From Layoff to Closing $750K in 15 Months with Julia Arpag, Founder and CEO of Aligned Recruitment
From Accidental Marketing Agency to Lead Generating Machine with Marco Mendoza, Founder and CEO of Wizerlink

You can listen to these episodes on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts.

Additionally, if you haven't yet watched the latest Olympia demo webinar, where I showcase our AI-powered solutions for entrepreneurs, you can catch up here. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or subscribe to our Eventbrite page for upcoming webinars focused on specific use cases.

For more content and insights, follow me on Substack, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you're interested in being a guest on my podcast, please fill out this form, and I'll reach out if it's a good fit.

Embrace the journey with intention and empathy, and let's continue to redefine what it means to lead with heart and purpose.

## Balancing Success and Self-Care: Reflections of a First-Time CEO ## Introduction: The Image of a CEO When you hear the title "CEO," what comes to mind? Often, it's a mix of power, responsibility, and the relentless pace of business life. For many, the image of a CEO is intertwined with ideas of busyness, success, and a finely honed skill set encompassing both hard and soft skills. This perception can paint the role of a CEO as one of unyielding ambition and constant activity. However, as I have learned on my journey as the CEO of Olympia, these perceptions only scratch the surface of what leadership truly means. ## The Journey from Aspiration to Leadership For me, stepping into the role of a CEO was both exhilarating and daunting. The desire to embody the ideal image of a leader fueled my ambition. I believed that to succeed, I needed to constantly push myself to develop the right skills—whether it was mastering team management, honing marketing strategies, or navigating complex partnerships. Every day was a quest for improvement, driven by an almost insatiable need to be better at everything from project management to time management. This relentless pursuit of perfection was rooted in my early understanding of what it meant to be a CEO—someone who was always on the move, constantly learning, and ever-present in the hustle of business life. Yet, as I advanced in my role, I began to question this approach. Was this ceaseless drive genuinely contributing to my growth, or was it merely creating a facade of busyness that masked deeper inefficiencies? The journey of becoming a CEO is inherently personal and transformative. It demands a balance between the aspiration to lead and the practical realities of guiding a company. As I navigated this path, I realized that true leadership was not just about acquiring skills but also about understanding when to step back, reflect, and prioritize what truly matters. This shift in perspective marked the beginning of a more meaningful leadership approach—one that embraced both ambition and authenticity. ## The Illusion of Busyness In the world of leadership, there's a pervasive illusion that busyness equates to productivity. Many first-time CEOs, myself included, fall into the trap of believing that a packed schedule and constant activity signify success. The pressure to perform, to constantly be "on," can be overwhelming. There's an implicit expectation that a CEO should be the first to arrive and the last to leave, always engaged in meetings, emails, and decision-making. However, this approach can lead to a dangerous cycle where activity is mistaken for progress. The relentless drive to stay busy often masks deeper inefficiencies and distracts from the core objectives that truly propel a business forward. As I advanced in my role, I realized that not all tasks were of equal importance, and some were simply distractions disguised as duties. The illusion of busyness can be seductive, offering a false sense of accomplishment. Yet, it often leads to burnout, strained relationships, and overlooked opportunities for genuine growth and innovation. True productivity lies in discerning what is essential and focusing efforts on those tasks that align with long-term goals and values. Recognizing this illusion is the first step towards a more effective and fulfilling leadership approach. It requires the courage to step back, evaluate priorities, and make intentional decisions about where to invest time and energy. By doing so, CEOs can shift from a mindset of perpetual motion to one of strategic action, fostering an environment where meaningful progress is made without sacrificing well-being. ## Embracing Our Humanity in Leadership As CEOs, it's all too easy to lose sight of our human limitations in the relentless pursuit of success. The demands of leadership can often feel all-consuming, pushing us to sacrifice personal well-being and family time in the name of progress. Yet, this approach is unsustainable and ultimately detrimental to both personal and professional growth. The notion that leaders must be infallible and resilient at all times is a myth that needs dismantling. In reality, embracing our humanity allows us to lead with greater empathy, authenticity, and insight. Acknowledging our limitations doesn't signify weakness; rather, it highlights strength in understanding the boundaries of what we can achieve alone. The pressure to constantly perform can create a facade of invincibility, one that ignores the crucial balance between professional obligations and personal life. This imbalance often leads to burnout and can strain relationships with family and friends. True leadership recognizes the importance of nurturing these connections, understanding that they are integral to sustained success. Balancing demands with self-care is not only beneficial for personal well-being but also enhances leadership effectiveness. When leaders prioritize their health and relationships, they model a sustainable work culture for their teams. This creates an environment where everyone feels valued and balanced, fostering creativity and innovation. By embracing our humanity, we pave the way for a new kind of leadership—one that values authentic connections and long-term success over short-term gains. This approach invites us to lead not just with our minds, but with our hearts, creating a more compassionate and effective leadership style. ## Reflection and Inspiration: The Prayer of Small Steps In the whirlwind of executive responsibilities, it's vital to pause and reflect on the journey rather than just the destination. This notion of taking small, mindful steps is beautifully encapsulated in Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's "The Prayer of Small Steps." This prayer serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of patience, self-discipline, and understanding. Saint-Exupéry's words teach us to appreciate the small victories and learnings that accumulate over time, reinforcing that meaningful growth often comes not from grand gestures, but from consistent, thoughtful actions. The prayer implores us to find strength in everyday challenges, recognize what is truly essential, and organize our lives wisely. By embracing these small steps, we can navigate the complexities of leadership with grace and intention. This perspective not only fosters personal development but also enhances our ability to lead others effectively. It's a powerful call to balance ambition with humility, ensuring that our leadership journey remains grounded in authenticity and purpose. As leaders, allowing ourselves the space to reflect and grow through these small steps can transform how we approach both our professional and personal lives, ultimately leading to more sustainable and fulfilling success. ## Conclusion: A New Way Forward In essence, remember that success as a CEO is not just about relentless hustle but also about nurturing yourself. Prioritizing self-care ensures you have the energy and clarity to lead with passion and purpose. Embrace the art of small steps in your leadership journey, and you'll find that true progress comes from a balanced approach that values both achievement and well-being. This section, along with the concluding summary and reflection, reinforces the themes of mindful leadership and the significance of balancing ambition with self-care. ## Call to Action If you found these reflections on balancing leadership with self-care insightful, there are plenty more resources for you to explore. Dive deeper into the journey of a first-time CEO by checking out my podcast, "The First-Time CEO," where I interview industry leaders about their unique paths and the lessons they've learned. **Upcoming Podcast Episodes:** * **The Evolution from CTO to CEO** with Kirk Marple, Founder and CEO of Graphlit * **From Layoff to Closing $750K in 15 Months** with Julia Arpag, Founder and CEO of Aligned Recruitment * **From Accidental Marketing Agency to Lead Generating Machine** with Marco Mendoza, Founder and CEO of Wizerlink You can listen to these episodes on [Spotify](#), [YouTube](#), or [Apple Podcasts](#). Additionally, if you haven't yet watched the latest Olympia demo webinar, where I showcase our AI-powered solutions for entrepreneurs, you can catch up [here](#). Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or subscribe to our Eventbrite page for upcoming webinars focused on specific use cases. For more content and insights, follow me on [Substack](#), [LinkedIn](#), and [Instagram](#). If you're interested in being a guest on my podcast, please fill out [this form](#), and I'll reach out if it's a good fit. Embrace the journey with intention and empathy, and let's continue to redefine what it means to lead with heart and purpose.

Document (1,362 words) written by Calvin Sawyer about 2 months ago

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Calvin Sawyer about 2 months ago

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generate_long_form_writing(conversational, Balancing Success and Self-Care: Reflections of a First-Time CEO, {"heading"=>"Introduction: The Image of a CEO", "summary"=>"Examines the common perceptions surrounding the CEO title and invites readers to reconsider what leadership truly means."}, {"heading"=>"The Journey from Aspiration to Leadership", "summary"=>"Highlights the personal evolution of stepping into a CEO role, embracing hard and soft skills, and the initial drive to constantly improve."}, {"heading"=>"The Illusion of Busyness", "summary"=>"Discusses the pitfalls of equating constant activity with productivity, including the pressure to perform and the overemphasis on keeping busy."}, {"heading"=>"Embracing Our Humanity in Leadership", "summary"=>"Explores how CEOs often neglect their human limitations in the pursuit of success, and the importance of balancing demands with self-care and family time."}, {"heading"=>"Reflection and Inspiration: The Prayer of Small Steps", "summary"=>"Introduces the inspirational 'Prayer of Small Steps' by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, outlining how small, mindful steps can lead to meaningful growth."}, {"heading"=>"Conclusion: A New Way Forward", "summary"=>"Summarizes the key lessons about balancing ambition with self-care, and reinforces a final takeaway urging leaders to prioritize real, sustainable progress over mere hustle."}, {"heading"=>"Call to Action", "summary"=>"Encourages readers to engage further with related content such as podcasts, webinars, and additional insights, fostering a community of mindful leaders."}, First-time CEOs, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders looking for inspiration and practical advice on balancing business success with self-care, en, 1000, A long-form article that explores the journey of being a first-time CEO, the misconceptions of busyness versus genuine productivity, and the importance of prioritizing self-care to sustain long-term success. The article interweaves personal reflections, insights on leadership challenges, and the inspirational 'Prayer of Small Steps' by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It builds on the notion that balancing ambition with humanity is crucial and concludes with actionable reflections and a call to further exploration through additional content., CEO, self-care, busyness, leadership, personal growth, work-life balance)

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