PodQuest: Goal Setting for Podcasting Prosperity - Aeoliana Elliott

Website: https://www.topshelfvirtualservices.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/aeoliana.elliott?igshid=MTIzZWQxMDU=

Podcast: https://justcast.com/shows/your-voice-uncovered-the-bccame-podcast/audioposts

[00:00:01]: Hello. Hello, everyone. It's Aeoliana here. I just wanted to take a quick second to say hello on camera. The rest of the workshop is going to be just the slides, so I just wanted you guys to see my face and say hello before we started. So let's get into the presentation here. Okay, so What? Welcome to PodQuest goal setting for podcast prosperity. So today we're going to be diving into goal setting for your podcasting journey and why it's so important for all aspects of your podcast.  

[00:00:38]: We're not just talking about any goals, we're talking about goals that resonate with the beating heart of your podcast. In the next 30 minutes or so, we're going to dive into why goal setting is not just crucial, but also an important part of your podcast. We're going to unravel how your aspirations can be the compass guiding you towards success. So get ready for a workshop that goes beyond the surface, focusing on the core of your podcasting dreams. Let's think of today as a conversation with your podcast soul. We're going to connect with the passion that fuels your show and channel it into purposeful goals. By the end of our time together, I hope and my goal is for you to not only have a clearer vision of your podcasting goals, but but also to feel empowered and excited about the growth that awaits you. So that's me, Aeoliana, like you saw at the beginning of the video.  

[00:01:34]: Excuse me, I've got something stuck in my throat. So lots of water coming today. So a little bit about me. I've been married to my best friend for 19 plus years and I am a proud hockey mom. My son or I. Our son is 12 and he's been playing since he was about three. I am also a full time paralegal, podcast launch strategist and the founder of Top Shelf Virtual Services. Some of my favorite things are of course hockey, Marvel and Broadway musicals.  

[00:02:05]: I am an introverted extrovert, a 5:1 splenic projector. If you're into human design, an Enneagram 4 with a 5 wing and a self diagnosed hob with high functioning anxiety and and executive dysfunction. All right, let's get right into it. So first we are going to dive deep into the heartbeat of your show, which is your mission. Think of your mission as the soul of your podcast. It's the essence that sets your show apart and creates a meaningful connection with your audience. Sorry guys, had to take a swig of water there. So let's grab a moment to reflect.

[00:02:54]: How does your podcast align with your core values, how does it weave a positive impact? Or how does it create a positive impact on your audience's lives? Let's take a second for some reflection. Consider whether your current podcasting journey authentically represents your mission. Are you staying true to the essence that sparked your podcasting flame? Think about the impact your podcast has on your listeners. How does it contribute positively to their lives? These reflections are the foundation for crafting goals that align with your mission. Now let's talk about a magic ingredient that transforms ordinary podcasts into extraordinary experiences. Authenticity. And I know authenticity gets used around a lot nowadays, so if you have a different word that means the same thing, please let me know, because I'm looking for one, but I haven't been able to find one yet that just encompasses everything that authenticity means. So authenticity is your unique fingerprint anywhere in the podcasting world and your content in your life anywhere and everywhere.

[00:04:08]: It's about being genuine, real, and unapologetically yourself. It is your truth. Today, we're weaving this authenticity into your goal setting journey. How can your goals reflect your true self while still serving your audience? So here's some tips for infusing authenticity into our goals. Aligning values. Look at your goals through the lens of your values. How can your aspirations align with what truly matters to you? Add a personal touch. Consider adding a personal touch to your goals.  

[00:04:40]: What aspects of your true self can shine through in your podcasting endeavors and in your content? And finally, audience connection. Think about how your authentic goals can strengthen the connection with your audience. Authenticity resonates and your audience will feel the genuine passion behind your podcast. One final tip, Storytelling. Consider crafting your goals as part of your podcasting story. How does each goal contribute to the narrative of your journey? As we wrap up our exploration on this heart centered approach, keep in mind that the authenticity and mission of your podcast are the driving forces behind your goals. Sorry about that, guys. I thought I turned that off, but I guess I didn't do it right.

[00:05:26]: I lost my train of thought. Anyway. All right, so now let's harness the power of these goals and see how they can shape the destiny of your podcasting future. All right, so now let's talk about the dynamo that fuels your podcasting journey, which is goals. Goals are more than just checkboxes. They they're the guide that leads you on a purposeful journey. They provide a roadmap, ensuring you're not just moving, but moving in the right direction. So how do goals give your podcast purpose and direction? Here's some tips for Establishing purposeful goals have clarity of vision.  

[00:06:08]: Your goals should contribute to the clarity of your podcast vision. Picture where you want to be and let your goals illuminate that path. Promote Prioritize. Goals are going to help you prioritize your efforts. Identify what truly matters for your podcast and let that guide your actions. Tracking Progress Use goals as milestones to track your progress. They're not just endpoints, but checkpoints in your podcasting journey. Now let's sprinkle a little bit of magic into our discussion.  

[00:06:41]: Positive Transformation Think of your goals as seeds. When nurtured with dedication and intention, they sprout into powerful positive changes. How can your goals contribute to your growth and equally important, the growth of your audience? Here is some guidance for that positive transformation we're talking about. So look at self reflection. Consider how each goal contributes to your personal and professional growth. What skills will you acquire? What knowledge will you gain? Impact on your audience Envision the positive impact your podcast will have on your audience as you achieve your goals. Your growth contributes to theirs and their growth contributes to yours. It's a win win.

[00:07:29]: Continue improvement. Goals are not static. They evolve. They're ever changing. Embrace the idea that achieving goals is a continuous journey of improvement. Each step forward is a transformation in and of itself. Now let me give you some encouragement for transformation. As you set and achieve goals.  

[00:07:51]: Embrace a mindset shift. See challenges as opportunities and setbacks as stepping stones towards positive transformation. As we immerse ourselves in the power of goals, keep in mind that each goal is a catalyst for purpose and transformation. Now it's time to craft these goals with intention and heart. Sorry. Alrighty. So now that we've touched on the transformative power of goals, let's dive into the art of crafting them. It all begins with reflection.  

[00:08:27]: Take a moment to look at where you are now and envision where you want your podcast to go. What are the milestones that will mark your unique journey? Here's some tips to reflect on. Reflect on your current achievements. Acknowledge and celebrate your current achievements. What aspects of your journey bring you joy and fulfillment? Future success Picture your podcast in the future. What milestones do you aspire to achieve? Visualization is a powerful tool in crafting meaningful goals. And align with your mission. Ensure that the goals you set align with your podcast mission.  

[00:09:08]: They should be stepping stones towards realizing your ultimate vision. Now that you've reflected on your journey, let's dive into the nitty gritty of goal setting. We're introducing a trusty companion, the Smart Criteria that stands for specific measurable achievable, relevant, and time boundaries. These criteria are the secret sauce that turns aspirations into clear and achievable goals. How can you use the SMART framework to refine your goals? So now we're going to break down the smart criteria a little bit. So first, our specific goals or making sure that your goals are specific. Sorry about that. So be precise about what you want to achieve.  

[00:09:49]: The more specific, the better. Instead of just saying, I want to grow my audience, try, I want to increase my monthly downloads by 20%. Next up is your goal has to be measurable. That means quantify your goals. How will you measure progress and success? It can be numbers, percentages, or other tangible metrics, but they must be something you can measure. Your goal must be achievable. Set goals that are challenging but realistic. Consider your resources, your skills, current situation, your energy levels, how much time do you have? It's about finding that sweet spot between ambitious and attainable.  

[00:10:30]: Next up, our goals need to be relevant. Ensure that your goals align with your podcasting mission and overall vision. They should contribute meaningfully to your podcasting journey. And finally, they need to be time bound. Add a timeline to your goals. When do you aim to achieve them? This creates a sense of urgency and helps with planning. So now we're going to work on applying smart to one of your goals. So take a goal that you've envisioned written down and run it through the SMART filter.  Aeoliana Elliott

[00:11:03]: How can you make it more specific, more measurable, more achievable, more relevant, or more time bound? As you refine your goals using reflection and the SMART framework, remember that each goal is a stepping stone on your unique path. Now let's explore how to maintain balance while pursuing these aspirations. As we delve deeper into the intricacies of goal setting, it's crucial, crucial to acknowledge that your podcasting journey is part of your life's work. Let's talk about the delicate dance of aligning your goals with the overall balance of your life, which is what we're all striving for on a daily basis, whether we're in podcasting or not. How can your podcasting goals become allies in maintaining that ever elusive balance? And take a sip of water here, guys. Okay, so here's a little bit of guidance on balance. Take a holistic perspective. That just means overall.  

[00:12:10]: View your goals through a holistic lens. How do they fit into the broader canvas of your life? It's about creating synergy, not sacrificing one thing for the other. Integrate self care. Consider how your goals support your well Being a balanced life includes self care. How can your podcasting goals contribute positively to your overall health and happiness? And finally, be flexible and adaptable? Life is dynamic. Build flexibility into your goals. How can they adapt to changes in your personal and professional landscape while still keeping you on the path to success? Now let's tackle a key aspect of maintaining balance, which is time management. Effectively managing your time is like conducting a symphony.  
[00:13:01]: It requires finesse, planning and a keen sense of rhythm. What strategies can you implement to balance your podcast and personal life? Here, I'm going to give you a few strategies for effective time management. Prioritize. Identify your top priorities. What tasks align with your goals and contribute significantly to your podcast growth? Focus on these one at a time. Time blocking. Allocate dedicated time blocks for podcasting activities. This not only ensures productivity, but also helps prevent burnout by creating clear time boundaries

[00:13:41]: Batching your tasks. Group similar tasks together and tackle them in batches. It minimizes context switching in our brains and actually boosts efficiency, leaving you with more quality time for personal pursuits. Now, this one was a big game changer for me. I used to think that I was great at multitasking, and I'm not. No one is. Our brains are not equipped for multitasking. Our brains are equipped to do short spurts of focused attention and then moving on to something else.

[00:14:13]: When we're constantly switching our brains with multitasking, we're not really getting anything accomplished. And it takes a long time for our brains to go from one thing to another. Just a tip there that I learned. It was eye opening for me. All right, next up, learn to delegate. You don't have to do it all. You shouldn't do it all. You cannot do it all.  

[00:14:39]: Consider delegating tasks that don't align directly with your strengths or your podcasting goals. Collaborating is a powerful, powerful tool you have at your disposal. And finally, schedule breaks. Don't forget to schedule breaks. Taking time for yourself is not a luxury, it's a necessity. So how can you incorporate rejuvenating breaks into your routine? Starting today, as we navigate the delicate dance of balance, keep in mind that your goals should enhance your life, not dominate it. Now let's explore actionable tips to turn your goals into tangible actions that align with your podcasting journey and overall well being. Now that we've established the importance of balance, it's time to physically roll up our sleeves and turn those inspiring goals into actionable steps.  

[00:15:33]: The secret Sauce Breaking down your goals into smaller, manageable tasks. What steps can you take today to Move closer to your podcasting dreams. So here's some strategies for breaking down those goals. Chunking Break your goals down into smaller chunks or bite sized pieces. What are the bite sized tasks that, when completed, contribute to the overall accomplishment of your goal? I know a lot of you have heard this. How do you eat an elephant one bite at a time? Same thing with this. How do you complete your full goal or whatever the goal is One task at a time. Prioritizing keeps coming up for a reason.  

[00:16:20]: So here we're going to prioritize tasks just like we talked about in the last slide. You're going to identify the most critical tasks. What are high impact actions? What are things that are going to move the needle? What's going to propel you forward? Prioritize these for maximum efficiency. Create a timeline. Assign timelines to each and every task. When do you plan to complete each step? Creating a timeline adds structure and urgency to your action. Plan and celebrate your milestones. Celebrate all victories, no matter how small.  

[00:16:55]: Each completed task is a step closer to your goal. Acknowledge and savor these moments. All right, so now let's explore a powerful tool in your goal setting arsenal that is Accountability partnerships. These are so important. Support is so important. Sharing your goals with someone you trust can elevate your commitment and motivation to new heights. How can accountability partnerships become your secret weapon? Here's some benefits of accountability partnerships. It boosts motivation.  

[00:17:33]: Knowing that someone is cheering you on can be a powerful motivator. How can having a supportive partner fuel your determination? Guidance and Feedback Receiving valuable feedback and guidance helps. Your accountability partner is going to help provide insights that are going to help you navigate the challenges. Receiving that valuable feedback and guidance is something that we cannot do for ourselves. Usually we are too close to the issue, too close to the problem, too close to the goal. And we need someone to have a bird's eye view and show us things that maybe we're missing. So think about how can collaborations lead to shared wisdom? And finally celebrating together. Celebrate.  

[00:18:19]: Celebrate achievements together. How does sharing success make the journey even more rewarding? Your victories aren't just. They're not just yours. They're shared moments of triumph. It's so much more fun, so much more fun to celebrate. When you're celebrating with others, there is something infectious about a celebration. The more people you have included in there. So now let's talk about tips for establishing some accountability partnerships.  

[00:18:50]: Choose wisely. Select someone that you trust and who understands your journey. How can this person be a source of encouragement and support? And on the Flip side, how can I be a source of encouragement and support to them? Set up regular check ins. Establish a routine for check ins. Regular communication ensures you stay on track and provides an opportunity to recalibrate or change things if needed. And finally, like I said in the beginning, reciprocal support Offer support in return. How can this partnership be mutually beneficial to the both of you? It's a two way street of encouragement and motivation. As we conclude our exploration of actionable tips, remember that putting your goals into action is about progress, not perfection.  

[00:19:46]: Now let's recap our journey and celebrate the strides we've made towards your podcasting dreams. All right, let's take a moment to summarize the gems we've uncovered today. We've delved into the heart centered approach, understanding how aligning your goals with your podcast essence and is the key to fulfilling your journey. We've harnessed the power of purpose, crafting smart goals that are clear, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound. Along the way, we've emphasized the importance of maintaining balance to ensure your podcasting journey enhances and not overwhelms your life. And lastly, we've explored the art of turning your goals into actionable steps, breaking them down into manageable tasks. In essence, we've equipped ourselves with the tools to propel our podcasting dreams forward. All right, so now we are going to go into some reflection questions.  

[00:20:55]: So I wanted this part to be. I wanted you to take a moment to reflect these questions. Your podcasting goals, like we said before, are not checkpoints, they're an experience. You want to think about how those goals are going to impact your podcast and how they're going to impact your life. So these are the questions I want you to think about. Consider how achieving your goals will elevate your podcast. What positive changes and growth do you envision for your show? Reflect on the personal transformation that accompanies your podcasting journey. How can your goals contribute to your overall growth and well being? And celebrate the process you've made today attending this workshop.  

[00:21:41]: Every insight gained, every goal you set, and every action planned is a victory in your transformative journey. So here's some additional resources that you're going to get in the Notion board with this with this workshop, including this video. So I'm giving you my Heart Centered Mission Reflection Worksheet, the Smart Goal Worksheets for Podcasters and a Balance Assessment for Podcasters. And with that, I just want to give you these parting words. Your podcasting goals are not just aspirations, they're the threads weaving your extraordinary podcasting story through your life as you leave this workshop today. Carry the excitement, the wisdom and the transformative energy with you. Your goals are unveiled, they're out there and the path ahead is bright with possibilities. I can't wait to witness the incredible podcasting journeys that that unfold from this very moment.  

[00:22:51]: So thank you so much for being here in this workshop, for taking the time to watch it. Here are some places that you can reach out to me. This is my website. You can always send me an email. It's Aoliana so my name at Topshelf Virtual Services. My website has access to all my resources, paid and free and just ways I can help you. So let me know what you thought, let me know how this workshop helped you. Let me know what you want to hear, what you want to see.  

[00:23:32]: And with that I will say goodbye and thank you so much for being here with me today.